Winter

Jacobite Jess

The first frost has happened and the first snow of the winter has fallen. It seems a bit early but the hills round Loch Ness are dusted with snow at the same time as the leaves on the trees are still shades of red and gold.

It is proving to be a busy week for Jacobite. In spite of the intermittent snow showers on Tuesday the Jacobite Spirit was very busy. Today, Thursday, we have been even busier with 90 passengers on the Spirit this morning. Perhaps the weather had something to do with it. It has been a beautiful late autumn day with sunshine and a calm loch to go with the crisp bracing cold. That and the English schools half term!

Friday will see the results of our Jacobite Jess schools competition. Jacobite Jess has lost her memory and we needed the local school children to write a story giving Jess back her history. The winners will receive £200 towards their school funds, a trip on the Jacobite Spirit for their class and will see their story displayed at the Eatgate Shopping Mall in Inverness.

Autumn

Spirit ready to sail

We are well into Autumn now and the trees round Loch Ness are turning beautiful shades of red and gold. Both the Jacobite Queen and the Jacobite Spirit are still sailing with the Jacobite Legend backing up as necessary. It is quite busy here with plenty of passengers enjoying a cruise on Loch Ness in this milder than usual October weather.

We run our "Kids go Free" month during October on our Inspiration and Freedom cruises. Most of the schools in Scotland have a mid term week at this time.

The Jacobit Queen will finish cruising at the end of October and will go through her usual maintainance programme which will get her all fresh and shiny once again for spring 2009. Jacobite Spirit will, of course continue sailing all winter with the Jacobite Legend helping during the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Now as I sit here in the Clansman Harbour office I am looking out of the window at blue skies and can see the sunshine sparkling on the dark waters of Loch Ness. It's tough but someone has to do it!