Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises supports MERT Highland with £500 donation as part of year-long 50th anniversary celebrations
A Loch Ness cruise business has kicked off its 50th anniversary year by donating £500 to a Highland medical emergency support charity.
To mark the occasion, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises will donate to causes chosen by its members of staff - one each month throughout 2025.
The first one to benefit was Medical and Emergency Response Team (MERT) Highland, which provides incident support and event first aid across northern Scotland.
The charity was nominated by An Talla café assistant Anita MacDonald, who said: “I was introduced to MERT Highland when I collapsed due to my diabetes and low blood sugars during a night out in Inverness. MERT aims to relieve pressure on ambulances and A&E, and after my experience and the help I received from MERT’s volunteers, I knew I had to get involved.
“Along with my colleague Linda, I volunteer for MERT and I am also a trustee. MERT Highland covers events big and small, including flagship events in the Highlands such as Belladrum and the Loch Ness Marathon, as well as providing welfare support for vulnerable people during adverse weather.
“Being a small team of volunteers, we’re delighted to be chosen as Jacobite’s first charity of the month during this very special year. Thank you to Jacobite and all the customers who are donating – it means so much to us.”
MERT Highland plans to put the £500 towards a second truck to enable the team to assist more people across the Highlands.
The first donation follows the official launch of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises’ yearlong 50th anniversary celebrations with a specially commissioned photograph featuring a 50 created by the Jacobite fleet on the loch.
The image, captured by the internationally renowned aerial photographer Richard Elliott with the skilled assistance of the company’s skippers expertly manoeuvring the boats to spell out ‘50’ on the loch, is a fitting symbol for the tour operator which has welcomed over 4 million guests from all corners of the globe over the last 50 years.
As well as a new charity of the month being announced each month throughout 2025, there will be various events and activities happening throughout the year.
Commenting on the celebrations, Alison Daun, Managing Director of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, said: “With this first donation to our charity of the month, our 50th anniversary year is well underway.
“We hope to get as many people as possible with a connection to Jacobite and love of Loch Ness involved, so we would encourage everyone to follow our social media channels for updates. I look forward to celebrating Jacobite’s 50th anniversary with our team, customers and everyone who makes the business so special - Nessie included!”
Jacobite Cruises was founded in 1975 by local entrepreneur and quarry master Dan MacWilliam, who had recently acquired a private motor cruiser named ‘Jacobite’ and wanted to share how lovely Loch Ness looked from the water.
Dan had big plans for the fledging business and added several boats to the Jacobite fleet over the years. He later sold the business to Rod Michie and George MacLean in 1983 before current owner, Freda Newton, acquired it in 2002.
Since Freda’s acquisition, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises has gone from strength to strength, including the addition of the popular restaurant and retail space, An Talla, at Dochgarroch.
