As we round off our 50th anniversary year, we’ve had a moment to pause and reflect on what has been a truly special 12 months for Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises.
In 2025 alone, we expect to welcome over 320,000 visitors on board our cruises. For half a century, we’ve been sharing the story of Loch Ness with guests from across Scotland, the UK and around the world, and this year was no exception. Visitors travelled from far and wide to experience the loch from the water, with a few familiar faces joining us along the way, including presenter and actor Laura Whitmore and singer CMAT.
Every sailing is made possible by our brilliant team of around 70 staff, many of whom work with us year-round. Their warmth, knowledge and genuine Highland hospitality are at the heart of what we do, and they play a huge part in why so many people choose to cruise with us, generation after generation.
Reflecting on the milestone year, our owner and executive chair Freda Newton said:
“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to welcome over 320,000 visitors to experience the magic of Loch Ness in this very special year for our business. In 2025, we have continued to innovate and improve experience for customers so it’s fantastic to see that our work and the warm welcome from our fantastic team is attracting more and more people each year, with even international film crews and celebrities stepping onboard our cruises.”
A year of celebrating, giving back and adding something extra
Our 50th anniversary wasn’t just about looking back at how far we’ve come. It was also about finding meaningful ways to give something back, both to our visitors and to the communities we’re part of.
Throughout the year, we ran a staff-nominated charity of the month initiative, supporting 12 local charities including Highland Hospice, Lucky2BHere, Munlochy Animal Aid, Centred Scotland and Maggie’s Highland. Each charity received a monthly donation made up of contributions from Jacobite and onboard collections.
We also introduced our free Jacobite customer app, designed to add an extra layer to the cruise experience. Using GPS, the app unlocks stories, insights, quizzes and photo and video challenges along the route. Guests can earn café and retail rewards, with monthly prizes recognising top contributors. The aim was simple: to make our cruises even more engaging and accessible for visitors of all ages.
Accessibility and inclusion continued to be a focus for us this year. We maintained complimentary places for carers across our cruises and introduced a sensory Santa Cruise, offering a calmer Christmas sailing for neurodiverse visitors and their families.
Marking the milestone in memorable ways
We also marked our 50th year with a number of special moments and visual touches along the way.
A 50th anniversary cruise and reception at An Talla brought together people who have played an important role in our journey so far, including local business partners, suppliers, stakeholders and long-standing supporters.
We launched An Talla Beag food truck, serving fast-food versions of some much-loved An Talla favourites, and created a 50th anniversary postcard featuring a specially commissioned image of our boats spelling out ‘50’ on Loch Ness. Visitors were invited to write down a memory from their time cruising the loch, and many of those messages were a real reminder of how much these experiences mean to people.
At Dochgarroch, a bold ‘50’ floral display welcomed guests throughout the season, while a commemorative coffee table book captured the story of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises across five decades on the water.
Our team at the heart of everything
In October, we were proud to become one of the first organisations to receive Highland Council’s inaugural Gold Employer Charter, recognising leadership in fair pay, local recruitment and long-term career development. It reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the people who are the face of our business every single day.
As Freda added:
“Our team is the face of our business, and they are vital to our success. For 50 years, we’ve been welcoming people from Inverness to India, Indiana and beyond, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of that journey.”
Looking ahead
While this year has been about celebrating 50 years on Loch Ness, we’re very much looking to the future. We have recently submitted proposals to significantly enhance our facilities at Dochgarroch, alongside plans to improve access and safety at Clansman Harbour, helping us deliver even better experiences in the years ahead.
After 50 years, one thing hasn’t changed. There’s still something special about being out on Loch Ness, surrounded by Highland scenery, stories and history, and that sense of anticipation as you look out across the water. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, and we’re excited for what comes next.
