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Pandora Forsyth went to Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands to try out a new Uber venture – the Seaplane, which riders will soon be able to hail through their app for a short period
When you imagine seaplanes, perhaps your mind is drawn to an exotic location in the blistering heat with a first-class private charter slowly coming into land on the clear-blue seas, with white sandy shores in the distance.
Well this was Scotland’s version of just that, except no sandy shores, no coconut cocktail waiting and a sick bag for comfort. Notably the pilot had some experience in the Maldives flying seaplanes before he packed his suitcase to come to the Highlands. The views here are arguably a lot better and less costly to experience. The catch? Deal with the Scottish weather at new heights.
I had come to Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands to try out a new Uber venture – the Seaplane. For a short period the ride hailing service will head to the skies, allowing brave passengers to book a space in a small, water-friendly propeller plane through its app. At the beginning of September I was among a small group lucky enough to give it a go.
We were guided on our journey by dryly humoured father-son duo, David Junior and David Senior, who were sure to tell us in their thick Scottish accents (with nervous flyers within ear-shot) that the new engine just needed to be worked on a little before take-off. How reassuring! The pair have been heading up Loch Lomond Seaplanes for decades, and have no plans of stopping anytime soon as they reach new dizzy heights ferrying stout-hearted passengers into the clouds.
After a brief, no frills safety demonstration we were on board with the hatch closed by David Junior wishing us ‘fun flight’ while I clutched onto my water bottle, hastily and worryingly texting my mum to say, ‘We’re going up soon…’. Note to anyone who does try this experience, don’t sit at the back if you get motion sickness – it’s Thorpe Park on a windy day to put it politely.
Before I knew it we were hundreds of feet in the air and off the loch. It was the smoothest take off I’ve ever experienced. Seeing the Highlands in all their beauty around us was truly breath-taking. It wasn’t long the calming words of Traitors US host Alan Cumming flooded into our ears telling us all about what we could see beneath us.
Sights included Glencoe Valley, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Ben Nevis, Fort William and the Trossachs National Park.
By the time such pleasant landmarks were being pointed to me, I had already reached for the sick bag at the back of the general managers’ Uber plane seat and had turned green. In a tiny aircraft full or journalists and PRs who are known to gossip, I didn’t want to go down in history as the lady who threw up because of a bit of a Scottish gale.
The further we went out from the coastline, the more I was weighing up whether to shout out ‘please land’ or to try to politely move away from the journalist next to me to stop her being sick too. The bumpy and rocky road turbulence was a normal occurrence for the Scottish pair at the front, I found out afterwards – but for even the well-travelled travel editor next to me it was difficult. Moments after we had landed to be greeted by a gaggle of locals waiting at the pier did I have to choose whether to go for the loch or behind a tree to make my dreaded, chunk-spewing conclusion.
You’ve heard of walk the plank? Try running it while holding on to your wind buffeted dress, attempting not to be sick onto yourself or the tour company around you.
Would I go on a seaplane again in the UK? No. But would I recommend trying it for the views? Yes, absolutely just remember to have water, know where your exits are and brace, brace, brace for the bumpy ride.
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How to book
For anyone interested in partaking in this once in a lifetime trip, Uber is providing free rides to passengers, and can pick them up from 30 miles away (which covers Glasgow Airport, Glasgow train station and city centre) to get to the Loch for take of.
Sadly it is over 18s only and will be free of charge, just with a £50 refunded holding deposit to partake in the adventure. Spaces are limited and on a first come, first served basis. The Seaplane will run for just a few days.