Local lads set to weigh anchor on Loch Linnhe
Cameron, who have spent many years working on and around the loch.
Neil - the youngest man in the country to receive his skipper’s ticket - spends every day on the water, so appreciates the ever changing splendour of the surroundings.
Colin said: ‘I have lived and worked here all of my life and still find new things to see.
‘This is a great opportunity to share what we have here with visitors and give them more reason to stay for longer, helping boost our economy. We have also used local companies as far as possible in every aspect and will continue to do so. It has been very exciting for Neil and I planning this new venture, although Covid restrictions have delayed the work a bit.’
Starting the first of a busy daily schedule of cruises, Elsie will sail down one side of the loch to almost the Corran narrows, back up the opposite shore to Corpach, weaving through the islands to the end of the Caledonian Canal, returning to the town in around two hours.
The specially built, twin hulled catamaran offers accommodation for 65 passengers, with a 360 degree viewing deck above the enclosed cabin, efficient yet powerful twin diesel engines and a soon-to-be installed large screen display linked to 4D
Owners of Cruise Loch Linnhe Neil Cameron, left, and Colin Whitehead, right, with Skipper Karl Spierling.
sonar so passengers can enjoy the passing topography above and below the water.
‘Since Elsie arrived on the loch she has attracted quite a bit of attention and being bright orange, people thought it was a new lifeboat,’ added Colin.
‘I am delighted the crew are ready to welcome guests and look forward to getting under way.’
Heading up the onboard crew is Skipper Karl Spierling, who has been guiding tours on the loch for many years. He will also be giving commentary on what can been seen throughout the trip, as well as explaining the history of the area from the active volcanos of several million years ago through to wildlife and human use of the land to the present day.