Highland coach firm getting cruise queries – but plans on hold pending Holyrood go-ahead; Paused Invergordon liner trade worth millions to the local economy

D and E Coaches is receiving enquiries from leading cruise line companies after a pandemic-enforced break of more than a year – but must await Scottish Government approval.

Donald Mathieson, its managing director, said: “It’s a morale booster after so long to receive calls from cruise companies who are back in business carrying fully-vaccinated passengers.

“But the Scottish Government won’t allow UK passenger cruises to dock at Invergordon and elsewhere until the whole of Scotland is in level one. A liner wasn’t allowed to disembark passengers at Greenock last week despite all passengers providing a negative virus test.

“That signals that it is doubtful if we will gain cruise business this year – but the prospects now seem brighter for next spring and beyond. Many local craft, retail and hospitality businesses depend on us taking cruise passengers to their area, so they’ll be happy that we’re back in dialogue with some of the most famous cruise operators.”

The firm has meanwhile started its new Inverness City Sightseeing Bus service. The service runs two routes and more hop-on, hop-off points. It started low key but demand has been encouraging. The firm employs around 70 people and runs 35 school route contracts for Highland Council.

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