THE biggest loch-based cruise ship in Scotland made its maiden voyage yesterday, carrying visitors attracted by the enduring fascination with Loch Ness and the legend of its monster.
The Jacobite Warrior, a catamaran capable of 11 knots, will carry up to 1500 tourists a day on the globally famous waterway this summer.
The vessel was known as Les Sept-Iles when she offered cruises from Vannes in Brittany, but her new decidedly more Caledonian-sounding name represents an investment of over £1 million for multi-award winning Inverness-based Jacobite Cruises, which will soon welcome its millionth passenger to cruise on Loch Ness.
The Jacobite Warrior, which can carry 250 people, will be taking tours from the new £2.5m headquarters, visitor centre and cafe the company is building on the A82 lochside road at Brackla, nine miles outside Inverness.
In the meantime it will operate out of the nearby Clansman harbour, along with other vessels, sailing down the loch to Urquhart Castle. The Jacobite Queen will continue to offer its three-and-a-half hour cruise up and down the Caledonian Canal and loch to the castle.
Freda Newton, owner of Jacobite Cruises, said the new vessel was necessary because there were times when passengers were being turned away as the existing cruises on offer were full.
She said: "The Jacobite Warrior joins our fleet of three cruise ships with the ability to carry 250 passengers in comfort. She is more than twice the size of any other cruise boat on the loch and we believe the first catamaran on the water here.
"This investment will allow us to provide a magical Loch Ness experience for up to 1500 tourists on the Warrior every day, in addition to 900 each day between the Jacobite Queen and Jacobite Legend. In the last few years we've seen numbers surge, particularly from groups from China, Brazil and Russia.
"The legend of Loch Ness is famous all over the world and most visitors to the Highlands are keen to experience the magic."
The new boat travelled from Brittany in France, stopping at Milford Haven in Wales and Bangor in Northern Ireland on the way. She then had a complete makeover in Corpach before arriving in the Caledonian Canal.
Jacobite refitted her with a bar, luxury seating, viewing deck and state-of-the-art tour guide audio system that allows passengers to listen to tales of Nessie sightings and Loch Ness's history, backed up by printed leaflets in 10 languages.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: "The launch of the Jacobite Warrior is fantastic news for the Highlands of Scotland and will help encourage even more visitors to this wonderful part of Scotland."
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