Our Managing Director Freda Newton MBE (yeah, she bagged an MBE in 2017 for her economic growth to the Highlands and Islands, and that’s not even what we are here to shout about!) bought Loch Ness by Jacobite in 2002, since then she has turned this from a small tour company to a multi-million-pound operation. In 2018, Loch Ness by Jacobite welcomed 320,000 people from all over the world on board to experience Loch Ness – an all-time high for Team Jacobite.
Freda was once quoted to say, “I was born with diesel in my veins” and she absolutely is. Never one to shy away from work, she has built an empire, and one that her whole team are proud to be part of.
Next we have Pauline Wilson our Operations Director. Not only does she ensure the slick running of our 4 boats, 3 departure points, 2 buses and 1 incredible team she is also a tower of strength and support, having worked her way to the top of the chain through hard work and dedication. If you ask Pauline, did she ever think she would be a director? She modestly says no. But if you were to ever watch her work, she is a natural born leader and a natural carer – those two qualities are rare to find in a person.
Then we have Alison Daun, our finance director. Alison joined Jacobite in 2016 as an accountant and has since joined the board as finance director. She studied at Aberdeen University before practicing at E&Y for almost 20 years. Alison might be a number cruncher, but she also knows how to have a good time. The balance of fun and clever is the perfect combination to help lead Loch Ness by Jacobite to success.
We have the incredible Lorna, who is a skipper here at Loch Ness by Jacobite. She is one of many who are responsible for the thousands of passengers we welcome on board every year – quite the responsibility to carry ! This lady has been taking the waves by storm and nothing is too big a challenge for our Lorna.
And then we have every other incredible female in this company a big shout out to Kelly and Kirsten our marketing team, Lianne and Lauren our accountants and assistants, to Sheran and Jennifer our booking admins and Daisy and Linda our crew.
Loch Ness by Jacobite also has a team of hard-working, dedicated, strong, caring males who contribute to the slick operation of our tours. Our Technical team, our skippers, our crew, our guides, our ticket sales and our board of directors are made up of a team of males and females who work together, who support each other and respect one another. This is balance. This is diversity. This is success.
So, when days are getting too hard, or you feel as though you are overlooked and undervalued YOU. ARE. AMAZING. Women all over the world have taken girl power to a new level (we know the Spice Girls would be so proud right now) this unity of support and the need to always build each other up is beautiful. And that right there is one of the best things about being a female.