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Confidence accelerates for Inverness coach company D and E


By Andrew Dixon

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Inverness firm D and E Coaches is receiving enquiries from leading cruise line companies after a pandemic-enforced break of more than a year – but must wait until the Scottish Government allows liners to dock at ports north of the border.

However, D and E is “greatly encouraged” by a successful start to its new Inverness City Sightseeing Bus service which it started operating earlier this month.

Donald Mathieson, managing director of D and E,

said: “It’s a morale booster after so long to receive

calls from cruise companies who are back in business carrying fully vaccinated passengers.

“But the Scottish Government won’t allow UK passenger cruises to dock at Invergordon and elsewhere until the whole of Scotland is in level one. A liner wasn’t allowed to disembark passengers at Greenock last week despite all passengers providing a negative virus test.

“That signals that it is doubtful if we will gain cruise business this year – but the prospects now seem brighter for next spring and beyond.

“Many local craft, retail and hospitality businesses depend on us taking cruise passengers to their area, so they’ll be happy that we’re back in dialogue with some of the most famous cruise operators.”

The globally identified brand of City Sightseeing is another key asset to D and E, which has expanded the service with two routes and more hop-on, hop-off points.

“We launched it from Inverness bus station in a low-profile fashion, but initial demand was decent and has picked up significantly,” Mr Matheson said. “It gives us confidence that the acquisition will pay off.

“We’ve acquired three open-top double decker coaches from the previous operator and have also added an open-top coach in a separate purchase, so we’re well equipped to provide an expanded service to visitors and locals alike.

“Passengers can view, take photographs and disembark at Loch Ness, the Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Caledonian Canal and the Dolphin Spirit boat trip, with full commentary service. This is in addition to popular in-city stops such as St Andrew’s Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and Bellfield Park.”

D and E is running the popular tourist facility using its existing team of drivers.

Mr Mathieson added: “Our private hire market is slowly beginning to recover, and the easing of pandemic restrictions offers scope for optimism after what has been an extremely challenging time for the coach hire industry.

“The investment in the new service is a sign of

our confidence for the future.”

D and E Coaches employs 70 people and also delivers 35 school route contracts for Highland Council.


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