Europe’s first city centre seaplane service is to run from Glasgow.
Oban, gateway to the Western Isles, will be the first destination to be served by Loch Lomond Seaplanes with prices starting at £140 return. Other destinations under consideration include the islands of Mull and Skye.
The company plans to reduce travelling time between Scotland’s central belt and some of the more remote Highland communities to minutes rather than hours.
Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson is due to formally launch the service on August 20 in Glasgow when a new nine-seat Cessna seaplane lands on the River Clyde. The company also runs a six-seat aircraft.
The launch marks a return of seaplanes to the Clyde after more than 63 years and follows the company gaining Civil Aviation Authority certification for the service last November.
Loch Lomond Seaplanes claims the service requires nominal infrastructure and creates minimal impact on the environment.
Founder and managing director David West said: “This will put Glasgow and the west of Scotland in the same league as Vancouver, Seattle and Sydney.”
by Phil Davies
