This month, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises marked its 50th anniversary with a birthday cruise on the famous loch.
Specially invited guests, including local businesspeople, current suppliers, stakeholders, and those who have been instrumental to Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises’ success, attended a reception at An Talla followed by the evening cruise on 12th June.
Among the attendees was Rod Michie who ran the business with George MacLean from 1983 to 2002, before Freda Newton took the helm.
Also on board to entertaining guests for the evening was popular accordionist and singer Calum MacPhail.
“In this milestone year, it was only right to celebrate in the best way we know how, on our beloved Loch Ness,” said Freda Newton, owner and executive chair of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises.
“I’m so proud of everything our business has achieved over the years.
“For 50 years now, we have been welcoming locals and people from all over the world, enabling them to explore the loch and showing them how special this area is.
“Of course, there has been 50 years of hard work, not to mention navigating a global pandemic and we have an incredible team to thank for their dedication and commitment.
“Thanks to them, we now welcome over 300,000 people on our boats each year.”
The cruise follows a series of 50th anniversary initiatives this year.
In January, a yearlong charity campaign was launched with a different charity being nominated by staff to receive a donation each month.
Benefitting charities so far have been MERT Highland, Munlochy Animal Aid, Alzheimer Scotland, Highland Hospice, Sunflower Home Care, and this month’s charity is Lucky2BHere.
In the spring, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises launched its first app to enhance visitor experience.
As travellers explore the loch, the app unlocks content through GPS hotspots, revealing the area’s history, wildlife and local legends.
Through a mix of entertaining challenges, ranging from quiz questions to photo and video tasks, users can interact with their surroundings to complete activities and earn points for discounts at An Talla and its online shop.
Additionally, throughout the year, passengers on the cruises will be able to pick up a postcard featuring a specially commissioned image of Jacobite boats spelling out ‘50’ on Loch Ness, on which they can write a memory from their time cruising the loch.
Past visitors can also send their memories via email to hello@jacobite.co.uk.
The best memories will then be shared by Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises on its website and social media channels.
Freda continues:
“Over 50 years, there have been some memorable moments on the loch, from marriage proposals and of course Nessie spottings, so I can’t wait to hear more of our passengers’ stories through our postcard campaign.
“It has been an honour to be part of these stories for 50 years and I can’t wait to see where the business goes in the coming years.
“Thank you to everyone, past and present, who has helped make Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises what it is today.”
