Fifty Years
A Year of Celebration
To mark this incredible milestone, we celebrated throughout 2025 with a year-long programme of events and initiatives. Highlights included our ‘Charity of the Month’ initiative, where Jacobite staff nominated and supported a different good cause each month. Each chosen charity received a donation, along with the opportunity to raise awareness and funds through on-site activities and our social media channels.
Alongside this, we hosted a variety of special events and community-focused activities to honour our 50th anniversary, from celebratory cruises to partnerships that brought people together on and around Loch Ness.
We are incredibly proud of everything we have achieved over the past 50 years and grateful to have shared this milestone year with our fantastic team, loyal customers, and the communities that make Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises so special. Here’s to the future and the next chapter on Loch Ness.
A Proud History
Our story began with local entrepreneur and quarry master, Dan MacWilliam. In 1975, Dan acquired a private motor cruiser named ‘Jacobite’ and decided to share the breathtaking views of Loch Ness with others. With big ambitions for his fledgling business, Dan grew the Jacobite fleet over the years, paving the way for countless adventures on the water.
In 1983, the company changed hands, passing to Rod Michie and George MacLean, who continued to build on Dan’s vision. Then, in 2002, Freda Newton took the helm. Under Freda’s leadership, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises has flourished, becoming one of Scotland’s most beloved attractions. Highlights include the addition of An Talla, our restaurant and retail space at Dochgarroch, and the ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.
Charity of the Month
One of the highlights of our 50th anniversary year was our staff-nominated ‘Charity of the Month’ initiative.
Each month throughout 2025, a member of the Jacobite team selected a local cause close to their heart. Jacobite donated £500 to every chosen charity, with onboard collections helping to further boost each monthly total.
From health and wellbeing to animal welfare and community support, these organisations carry out vital work across the Highlands. We were proud to support them as part of this milestone year.
Our 2025 charities were:
January – MERT Highland
February – Munlochy Animal Aid
March – Alzheimer Scotland
April – Highland Hospice
May – Sunflower Home Care (Highland Hospice)
June – Lucky2BHere
July – Centred
August – Crocus Highland (Highland Hospice)
September – Maggie’s Highlands
October – Highland Group RDA (Riding for the Disabled)
November – RNLI Loch Ness
December – Cash for Kids
A huge thank you to our team for nominating these incredible causes, and to our passengers whose generosity helped make these donations possible. It was a meaningful and fitting way to mark 50 years on Loch Ness. Following the success of our 2025 Charity of the Month programme, we’re looking forward to sharing details of our next charity initiative soon - keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
