Highland firm cruises to new record on Loch Ness
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A RECORD number of visitors hopped aboard a Loch Ness tour in 2019, according to new figures released by Loch Ness by Jacobite.
The past 12 months have been the company’s most successful to date, with visitor numbers exceeding 325,000 – up by almost 10 per cent since 2017 – and from 89 countries.
An extended winter sailings timetable led to a rise in visitors in the last quarter of the year, indicating year-round demand for experiences at Loch Ness.
The company also increased capacity with the launch of a new vessel, the Jacobite Maverick, as well as several new tour options.
The success has been mirrored by Jacobite’s sister business An Talla, a £2.5 million retail destination and café at Dochgarroch Lock which launched last year.
The new venture received a VisitScotland Taste Our Best award, with its popularity reflected in 20,500 breakfasts, 40,000 hot drinks and 17,000 slices of cake sold over six months.
Loch Ness by Jacobite and An Talla managing director Freda Newton said: “We’re thrilled to have enjoyed another record-breaking year at Loch Ness by Jacobite, welcoming more people aboard than ever before.
“The figures are extremely encouraging and indicate that the Highlands remain an attractive holiday destination for visitors from near and far.
“We’ve heavily invested in modern infrastructure both dockside and in our fleet of vessels as well as with the opening of An Talla to allow us to continue to support this demand into the future.
“We’ve got a hugely positive outlook and this investment will help us continue to provide the high-quality service which the region is renowned for worldwide.”
