Loch Tay’s excursion boat has a new skipper and crew ready to leave the jetty at Kenmore.
Stuart Brain, Loch Tay Safaris new manager and skipper, was born and bred on the shore of Loch Tay.
Highland Safaris - the land-based wildlife tour company at Dull run by Donald Riddell and his wife Julie - declared they were delighted to welcome Stuart onto the team this spring.
“He has a wealth of knowledge about not only the history, heritage, geography and geology of the area, but also the lesser known stories of local characters, who have helped shaped the very fabric of this beautiful area,” said Julie.
Over the last 14 years Stuart has been master of the bigger tour boats on Loch Katrine and have developed a wealth of practical experience and industry knowledge.
Loch Tay Safaris recently put the motor boat ‘Iolaire’ back in the water for the summer season and Stuart is proud to be its skipper.
“The Iolaire is a modern vessel, equipped to a high specification, which is responsive and exciting to drive,” he said.
“I am looking forward to welcoming passengers on board to share my passion for Loch Tay and the surrounding area. It is great to return to where my interest in boating started all those years ago. I must admit I am also enjoying a much shorter daily commute!”
Another local who has found work at Highland Safaris is Tommy Pringle, who has been out several times to Boring, Oregon to be the unofficial Perthshire ambassador for his home village of Dull, which is twinned with Boring.
New on the Highland Safaris team, Tommy’s roots in the Appin Valley go back many generations and he has taken a keen interest in the study of the history of this area.
Not only will Tommy be crew for Loch Tay Safaris but he will also be a safari ranger. Loch Tay is surrounded by stunning and dramatic landscape, and the area is more than a little steeped in history, myths and folklore. Stuart and his crew love sharing it with visitors.
Loch Tay Safaris was awarded five stars by VisitScotland Quality Assurance team last year.
“This is the highest rating for a visitor attraction and something that we are hugely proud of,” added Julie Riddell.
“We love the spring - trees springing to life and wildfowl nesting on the shores are a treat to see, but the arrival of our resident osprey is unmissable.
“A golden eagle was spotted too, soaring on the high ridges surrounding the loch on one of the boat’s training trips.”
See Highland Safaris Facebook for booking details for the boat Iolaire which is out on Loch Tay three times a day for the summer.
