RNLI Loch Ness

02/04/2026

Today marks 18 years since the Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat station first opened!

Since then, we've been called out 324 times and saved 13 lives in the process.

We're grateful to everyone who has supported our volunteer crew over the years and we couldn't do what we do without the generous donations we receive.

Thank you to each and every person who has supported us for the last 18 years, here's to the next 18! 💙💛

30/03/2026

Congratulations to Aron, Madison, Georgia and Rich who recently passed their Tier 1 Lifeboat Assessments! 🥳🎉

The Tier 1 assessment is an important milestone in a crew member’s training which allows the volunteer crew to progress to Tier 2 training and continue their development towards full operational competency and senior roles such as Navigator and Helm.

Read more to find out how the crew feel about passing out 👇

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/march/28/loch-ness-rnli-celebrates-four-volunteers-passing-tier-1-assessments

23/03/2026

Are you social media savvy? Do you love creating content and engaging with online audiences? If so, you could be our new Social Media Officer!

We’re looking for someone with great writing and communications skills who’s looking to join a friendly team and learn new skills.

Find out more and apply on our website, link in the comments 👇

20/03/2026

Today we say goodbye to Gordon Menzies, our Station President and the pioneer of the rescue service on Loch Ness.

Gordon supported our station for many decades, firstly with HM Coastguard in the 1980s and then with the RNLI when the station was established in 2008. He was a true character of Loch Ness and pivotal to the loch’s rescue service for over 40 years.

Gordon held a leading Launch Authority role on the crew for many years, and in 2024 he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal and honorary title of Station President in recognition of his long-term commitment to saving lives on Loch Ness.

Gordon was a true gentleman with a twinkle in his eye. He was incredibly generous, had a great sense of humour and always supported the station and the crew. Gordon was also one of our most dedicated fundraisers, raising around £18,000 since 2009.

Many lives have been saved thanks to Gordon’s dedication, passion, generosity and enthusiasm. As a crew we feel incredibly lucky to have known him for so many years and grateful to have benefited from his experience, stories and legacy.

All of us at RNLI Loch Ness will miss him.

15/03/2026

Volunteer opportunity | Water Safety Adviser

We’re looking for a Water Safety Adviser to contribute towards the local Water Safety and Lifesaving Plan. This involves working as part of a team to deliver RNLI water safety advice in our communities, identifying local risks and working with partners to deliver targeted interventions.

If you would like to join a friendly, dedicated and motivated team and have good communication and people skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply on the RNLI website: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/water-safety-adviser-loch-ness-606327.html

08/03/2026

Today we're celebrating our 16 women volunteers on International Women's Day 🎉

The average number of female crew in Scotland has risen to 16% so we're proud that over 32% of our operations team are women, with roles including Lifeboat Operations Manager, Launch Authority, Navigator, Crew, Shore Crew, Plant Operators, Treasurer, Lifeboat Press Officer, Branch Secretary and fundraisers.

Jill Hepburn, RNLI Head of Region in Scotland, said: ‘International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that when we give our time, skills and support to one another, we all gain strength, confidence and opportunity.

‘At the RNLI, we know that creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation makes us stronger and more effective in our mission to save lives at sea.

‘We’re incredibly proud of all our frontline staff and volunteers who continue to give so much in their selfless service of others.’



(Missing from the photos are Bron, Angela & Nicola)

18/02/2026

Volunteer fundraisers wanted! 📣

Would you like to help us plan and run events to raise vital funds for RNLI Loch Ness?

We're looking for a volunteer Fundraising Coordinator and volunteer Fundraisers to join our fantastic fundraising team.

If you're enthusiastic, flexible and have great communication skills, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply at the links below 👇

Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator: https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/107850-volunteer-fundraising-coordinator-loch-ness-fundraising-group-2026-02-11?cookieconsent=set

Volunteer Fundraisers: https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/107848-volunteer-fundraiser-loch-ness-fundraising-group-2026-02-11

31/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. This was a particularly busy year for Loch Ness RNLI and we’re grateful to everyone who has fundraised, donated and supported us to ensure we can continue helping those who find themselves in difficulty on the loch.

Our volunteer crew has responded to a variety of rescues including motor cruisers running aground, vessels losing power, a lost dog on the shores of Loch Ness and stranded kayakers and canoeists caught in challenging weather conditions.

Three members of shore crew passed out as Launch Authorities, two crew members passed out as Navigators and three new trainees joined the crew.

The fundraising crew has also been very busy with more than £6,000 raised this year.

To celebrate a successful year, we all came together for a festive ‘One Crew’ dinner in December at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel which was a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge everyone’s hard work in 2025 and to look towards next year.

RNLI volunteers are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and so we’re extremely grateful to families and friends and everyone who supports our crew to ensure we can continue supporting the RNLI’s vital work to save lives.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and good wishes for 2026!

24/12/2025

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This is our shot at attempting to create a Christmas tree route on Loch Ness a few weeks ago. While not having the flair of RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat 's fine creation, it's not too bad an effort! It's a good excuse to practice nav skills on what turned out to be a very dark and choppy training session on the loch.

Thanks to everyone for your support over the last year, it’s hugely appreciated and we’re so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to offer words of encouragement and donate to the station. It’s been a busy year!

RNLI Loch Ness is run by volunteers but we’ll still be on call 24/7 over the festive period and ready to assist should the need arise.
Remember, if you see someone in trouble on or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI

17/12/2025

We’re delighted that Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises chose us as their charity of the month for November. We work closely with their teams on the loch and they’re often kind enough to let us work with them on training scenarios.

For November, our 50th anniversary Charity of the Month was RNLI Loch Ness.

Chosen by our Mate/Guide Linda, who is a long-time volunteer with RNLI Loch Ness, the crew were thrilled to collect a £500 cheque for the charity, picked up during our Santa Cruises with Santa and his elves on hand!

"I absolutely love the synergy that the RNLI Loch Ness lifeboat has with Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises! My volunteering boat and my “day-job” boats! The lifeboat often trains with the Jacobite vessels and helps the RNLI lifeboat to locate casualty vessels or assist in a rescue. Just last Sunday the Jacobite Maverick and the lifeboat came to the aid of a struggling wind foil board surfer on the very cold Loch Ness waters!

It was wonderful to receive this generous £500 in the 50th Jacobite Cruises Anniversary year and will make a significant contribution towards maintaining the Loch Ness RNLI service."

A huge thank you to the RNLI Loch Ness crew for the vital work you do on the loch, all year round.

31/10/2025

🎃 Ready to launch — even on the spookiest night of the year! 👻

This Halloween, our volunteer crew will be ready for service as always, come rain, fog, or things that go bump on the loch!
No amount of spooky shenanigans or ghostly goings-on will stop them from answering the call if the pagers sound.

If you happen to pass by the station this evening, don’t be alarmed if you catch a glimpse of ghostly figures at the windows. It’ll just be our crew keeping a witchful eye on Loch Ness.

They’re a friendly bunch and can often be placated with offerings of tea and cake. ☕🎃

From all of us at RNLI Loch Ness, have a safe and fang-tastically enjoyable Halloween! 👻⚓