Celebrating 50 years of cruising on Loch Ness
This month, we marked a major milestone at Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises – 50 years of taking passengers out onto the world’s most famous loch.
To celebrate, we invited some very special guests – from local businesses and current suppliers to long-time friends and supporters – to join us for a reception at An Talla followed by a memorable evening cruise on 12th June.
We were delighted to welcome Rod Michie on board, who ran the business with George MacLean from 1983 to 2002, before I took the helm. Also joining us for the night was the brilliant Calum MacPhail, whose music brought the perfect touch of Highland spirit to the occasion.
As we celebrate this milestone, it felt only right to do so in the best way we know how – on our beloved Loch Ness. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved over the years. For five decades now, we’ve been welcoming both locals and visitors from around the world, giving them the chance to explore the loch and discover what makes this part of the Highlands so special.
Of course, it’s taken 50 years of hard work – not to mention navigating through a global pandemic – and I can’t thank our team enough for their commitment and dedication. Because of them, we now welcome over 300,000 people on board each year.
The cruise was just one of many ways we’re marking our 50th year.
Back in January, we launched a yearlong charity campaign, with our team nominating a different local charity each month to receive a donation. So far, we’ve supported MERT Highland, Munlochy Animal Aid, Alzheimer Scotland, Highland Hospice, Sunflower Home Care – and this month, Lucky2BHere.
In the spring, we launched our first-ever app to enhance the visitor experience. As people explore the loch, the app uses GPS hotspots to unlock stories, legends, and wildlife facts – and includes fun challenges like quizzes and photo tasks. By completing them, visitors can earn points for discounts at An Talla and our online shop.
We’re also giving our guests the chance to share their own Jacobite memories. Throughout the year, everyone who sails with us can pick up a postcard featuring a specially commissioned image of our boats forming the number ‘50’ on Loch Ness. They can write down their favourite memory and send it back to us – or email their stories to hello@jacobite.co.uk. We’ll be sharing the best ones on our website and social media.
Over the years, there have been so many unforgettable moments – from marriage proposals to the occasional Nessie sighting – and I can’t wait to hear even more of your stories through this campaign.
It’s a real honour to have been part of so many people’s memories for the past 50 years. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey – past and present. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
—
Freda Newton
Owner and Executive Chair
Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises
