ITS SEAPLANES have been a common sight over Cowal and Bute over the last 20 years but, last week, Loch Lomond Seaplanes mysteriously ceased trading.
The company has cancelled all its flights and issued a message on its website to confirm the shock news, leaving passengers baffled and out of pocket.
The company, founded in 2003 by aviation entrepreneur David West, was celebrated as the first commercial seaplane service in Scotland and the UK. Operating under a Type B licence from the Civil Aviation Authority, the firm offered scenic tours and flights between Loch Lomond and destinations such as the Isle of Skye, using an aircraft capable of carrying fewer than 20 passengers.
However, last week, without warning, the company grounded all flights.
A message posted on the Loch Lomond Seaplanes website confirmed the sudden shutdown, stating simply: “Please be advised that Loch Lomond Seaplanes has ceased trading. If you have tickets or a flight booked, then someone will be in touch in the near future.”
Tourists with existing bookings are expected to be contacted, but frustration is growing, with reports surfacing of holidaymakers left waiting at Cameron House for flights that would never take off. One disgruntled customer shared their experience on Facebook: “Friends of our page were waiting to board at Cameron House when they received an email saying the company had ceased trading. No plane in sight, no prior warning – just a cancellation message.”
Adding to the mystery, the news comes mere days after the company reportedly signed an agreement with Norway’s Elfly Group to purchase two zero-emission electric seaplanes, with an option for three more. The deal was seen as a promising step into a sustainable future for the operator.
The sudden closure has raised eyebrows in the aviation community, especially given its recent moves toward innovation and green technology.
At present, the full reasons behind the company’s collapse remain unclear, and affected customers are anxiously awaiting further communication. The abrupt ending of a pioneering Scottish travel experience has left both tourists and locals grounded—and searching for answers.
