A sail-pass and a fly-pass are just two memorable moments of an amazing few days here at Loch Ness as we welcomed a very special new arrival … the Jacobite Maverick.
And it was all captured by our photographer, Margaret, from Urquhart Castle.
She took pictures of the sail-pass by our brand-new, custom-built vessel, the Jacobite Maverick, accompanied by a fly-pass of an aerobatic stunt bi-plane showing her paces to welcome the craft to her new sailing grounds here at Loch Ness.
The twin-hulled catamaran - measuring 65 feet in length and able to carry up to 200 passengers - was built on the Isle of Wight at the Wight Shipyard.
She was sailed to Loch Ness by our skipper Colin up the west coast of Great Britain and along the Caledonian Canal.
AN ODE TO THE LAUNCH OF THE JACOBITE MAVERICK
By Willie Cameron
When I first heard the name of the addition to the fleet
My memory was jogged and had to compete
With television and films from days gone by
On BBC/ITV and even on SKY
Top Gun heroes like Mr Tom Cruise
Cowboys and card sharks that win and lose
So checked Wikipedia to see what it meant
MAVERICK a name that was heaven sent
Unorthodox - Free Spirit - and Original scene
We welcome THE MAVERICK to the Jacobite Team
Now back to reality to mighty Loch Ness and see for myself the Maverick that’s best
No fiction here this is for real - the new addition to Freda's Fleet to partner the Warrior, the Legend and Rebel and not to forget - the adrenalin floats with a spectacular trip on the Beastie Boats
Now to the Maverick - stands out from the crowd - a bit like myself always shouting out loud
If you've got it flaunt it, I always say and the Maverick does that in a most stylish way
Carrying passengers with the Jacobite Team to sail Loch Ness and experience their dream, to lose their thoughts for a short while as they sail the loch in comfort and style
A craft built with love and tenderness to sail with Jacobite on Mighty Loch Ness
On behalf of Freda and the team who are here please join us with canapes, wine and Loch Ness Beer
To toast the launch of this wonderful craft
A Maverick by name both fore and aft
From stern to deck and on to the bow
Raise your glasses and toast her now
May God bless the Maverick, passengers and crew
She is just for you to experience Scotland at its very best
Cruising with Jacobite on Mighty Loch Ness
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE JACOBITE MAVERICK
The official launch was undertaken by our MP, Drew Hendry, in glorious sunshine and temperatures hitting the high twenties again here at Dochgarroch Lock on the newly-designed boarding and landing area.
Attending the launch were a group of guests who had all helped in some way with both the success of Loch Ness by Jacobite and had contributed to the building and launch of the Maverick.