Hi Neil,
The Model Steamer Club has traditionally built to 48th scale as it suits the older steamers and all the piers are built to that scale too.
Columba is/was the largest traditional steamer at 300ft, but now of course there are bigger modern Calmac ships.
The club started off at 1/8th inch scale, then moved briefly to 3/16th before settling on 1/4inch. I have attached a photo from 1971 showing the 1/8th scale boats, then a couple of 3/16th before moving on to the 1/4inch:- Duchess of Hamilton; Jeanie Deans; Duchess of Fife; Juno; Dad's Queen Mary under construction; King George V; Duchess of Montrose; Glen Sannox and Jupiter at the end by our blue trawler.
No, my father wasn't a famous builder and wasn't in Model Boats magazine.
All the best