Liz has been encouraging me (John) to think about things I really want to do - a bucket list - to help us focus on some memorable good times rather than just work, DIY and a few minor excursions in what may be my last summer. Life is passing us by quickly.
One of these was a trip on the seaplane which is based not too far away at Loch Lomond, aptly named Loch Lomond Seaplanes. We guess it does what it says on the tin! Anyhow, they have a Cessner Caravan (yes that is the correct name) which is a 10 seater (including the pilot) small (about 11m long) plane. It's an industry leading reliable piece of kit of this scale and for locations like Loch Lomond, is available with water landing capability. They run two types of trip - one being a 30 minute tour over the lochs, and the other (slightly more expensive but what the heck) a 30 minute flight to the Isle of Jura, land and stay for a couple of hours then fly back. It's a no brainer if it's a bucket list.
We'd called them a couple of weeks earlier to check availability - fully booked for this tour for a while, however, being 'local' and able to accomodate late availability John asked them to keep our number to hand and even at 24 hours notice, we could make it. The next week they called, initially for the Tuesday, but then Wednesday due to weather, so we went for it. Flight from Loch Lomond at 12:10pm to arrive Craighouse, Jura 12:40pm or thereabouts, lunch at The Antlers for fresh sea food, potter around and catch the plane back at quarter to 3. Perfect.
Liz could be described as 'not the best flier' so this was definitely John's choice of a day out.
After some fairly light hearted but essential safety briefing, we boarded the plane from it's own jetty at Cameron House Hotel. Nine passengers and pilot, the 9th 'single' passenger taking the co-pilots seat - lucky lady! We were on the first row and both sides of the plane have an amazing window view. Loch Lomond was like a mill pond and the take off was absolutely perfect. We seemed to hang above the loch at about 100 feet, buzzing the Loch Lomond pleasure cruiser and waving at the passengers, before climbing up and over towards Helensburgh. From there, we took a south turn away from the Polaris base at Faslane towards the Clyde, following it down past Greenock, Dunoon and on to Rothsay on the Isle of Bute, over Tarbert on the Campbeltown penninsula then due west towards Jura, coming in from the north to land and tie up at the pier at Craighouse. A perfect landing on the glassy sea.
A short walk to the cafe for fresh haddock and chips followed by a lovely cheesecake and coffee then a little walk to the Deer Island Distillery, Jura Distillery and couple of gift shops. Just enough to kill 2 hours before heading back pretty much the same way.
The weather really made the whole experience perfect - a pretty clear blue sky, no wind and about 20C - but the experience was incredible anyhow. The pilot managed to hug the contours of hills as we hopped from loch to loch and we hugged the loch surface several times flying at levels that seemed to be 100 foot or so - lower than the mini islands that litter the lochs. Coming in to land was amazing - dropping rapidly from the hill above the hotel like a dive bomber and dropping gently onto the water.
For footage of just how exciting it was watch the video here:
What a terrific trip! Looks absolutely bloomin' terrifying but the views looked amazing.