The operators of a wildlife boat tour have spoken of their joy as business bounces back – after being left without a penny in the bank during lockdown.
The Dolphin Spirit made its maiden voyage of 2020 along the inner Moray Firth last month after being left marooned following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around £8,000 worth of bookings were cancelled, leaving the operators uncertain if they would even be able to resume its dolphin spotting trips after lockdown.
But now they have revealed that so many visitors are flocking to the area that they are having to turn people away to adhere to social distancing.
Director Yvette Hogan said it has been a boost after an “incredibly difficult” period.
She said: “We had pre-bookings and I spent most of March giving all the money back we had taken, around £7,000 to £8,000 worth of bookings to give back, which was really upsetting for us and quite financially devastating.
“We got to the point where we had nothing in the bank and we still had people to be paid back so we tried to get people to take credit vouchers where we could, but we weren’t even sure at that point if we could be operating this year.”
Capacity aboard the 42ft vessel has been reduced from 65 down to 20 to facilitate social distancing.
Mrs Hogan, who revealed the boat welcomed 4,000 passengers aboard in August alone last year, added: “We have been very pleasantly surprised that practically every trip we have had has been full.
“We are having to turn people away now. Normally we can take 65 quite comfortably on the vessel so to limit it to 20 is quite upsetting, especially as we know these people are not going to be here for long.
“We are doing well; we are in a good place just now. The demand is there, there are lots of tourists here.”
Officials from Firth Attractions Ltd received financial aid through the government’s furlough scheme and the Covid-19 hardship fund to help save the business.
With four sailings daily, she said both the local wildlife and passengers are delighted to be able to explore what the Highlands has to offer.
Mrs Hogan said: “The dolphins are just delighted that the boats are back as well. They come to the boat, they love bow riding so our interactions have been really quite special to.
“They are happy to us and we are happy to see them so it’s quite nice.
“The majority of our passengers are just happy to be out on the water again enjoying what the Highlands has to offer. It’s a positive thing, it’s a beautiful place and people are discovering that.”