The story behind the award-winning chippy McMonagle's in Clydebank situated in a boat

It’s been almost thirty years since family-run McMonagle’s first berthed in Forth and Clyde canal as the country’s ‘first floating restaurant’.

Days after receiving their accolade at the Scottish Takeaway Awards in Glasgow city centre, it was business as usual for the team who work tirelessly to ensure that each of their suppers is ship shape.

READ MORE: Iconic Glasgow pub reopens with help of Still Game's Boaby the Barman

Pictured: McMonagle's owner Owner Agnes McMonagle and son-in-law Chris Riley

Agnes McMonagle, the restaurant owner, said: "It’s the school holidays right now and that’s always our busiest time because kids love it.

“We like to be able to offer them somewhere to have a day out that’s not too expensive.

“I remember the day the canal opened up, there were queues all the way out the door.”

Incredibly, the McGonagle’s restaurant was once in fact a seafaring boat, which was purpose-built at a Campbeltown shipyard.

John McMonagle named the vessel the Debra Rose for his daughter Debbie, who now manages the restaurant alongside her mother and husband Chris Riley who works as a chef.

Agnes said: “The kitchen runs the full length of the boat.

“Its size allows us to offer gluten-free, vegan and halal options without worrying about cross-contamination.

“We make all of our pizzas, including the dough, from scratch.

“If you’re vegetarian I would recommend our pizza with a BBQ sauce base, but if not it would have to be our fish and chips."

Despite its first few years spent bobbing in the water of the canal, the McMonagle’s boat is now landlocked and stuck in place with cement.

While this guarantees there’s no chance of a side sea sickness with your supper, there’s no escaping the unique charm that the nautical theme creates.

Pictured: The upstairs restaurant of McMonagle's

Just one of the boat's many quirky features is a ‘Sail Thru’ window from which boats on the canal can pick up a portion of fish and chips without ever having to set foot on dry land.

An upstairs restaurant with a fully licensed bar and panoramic views add to a sense of golden age glamour which Agnes says becomes stronger still as the sun sets.

READ MORE: City centre bar to close 'until working conditions are improved'

It’s certainly a unique experience, but anyone who has visited McMonagle’s will know that it’s the family spirit, rather than novelty value, that has kept the business afloat for close to three decades.

Agnes said: “It’s a very family-orientated place.

“We’ve had cousins, aunts, even my mother-in-law working here at one point.

“My other daughter Emma works in the kitchen sometimes.

"Chris and Debbie run the boat and the kids love her.

“They call her Princess Debbie.”

“I’ve been doing this for 29 years now and you really get to know folk.

“People come in as regularly as clockwork and I always say to our staff to make sure to take the time to chat.”

Watch our live tour of the McMonagle's boat below: 

McMonagle’s beat stiff competition to take home The Scottish Takeaway Awards prize for best Restaurant Takeaway at a glitzy ceremony at Glasgow’s Marriot hotel on Monday.

Event organisers said: “Takeaways have been around for a long time and are the very backbone of the local community and economy.

“They added: “The competition was tough as there are some excellent professionals in the industry, but each finalist had their own success story to tell.”

Taking a short break from his duties behind the friers today to discuss the award, chef Chris said:“We were really happy to get the award.

“To be named the best restaurant takeaway, not just chippy, was great because there is so much competition out there.

“Hopefully it means more people than ever will know where to find us.”

For more information on McMonagles click here.