City's seaplane route takes off

David West with the plane docked near Glasgow Science Centre

A city centre seaplane service has officially taken off from the Clyde.

The journey from Glasgow to the Argyll town of Oban has been billed by operators, Loch Lomond Seaplanes, as the first of its kind in Europe.

The company said further destinations were planned, with the Isles of Skye and Mull likely to be added.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson officially launched the service, which will cost £149 for a return ticket, on Monday.

A seaplane service between Loch Lomond and the West Coast of Scotland has been operated by Loch Lomond Seaplanes for three years.

The nine-seater Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft, which can reach a top speed of 171mph, can be boarded from a pontoon behind Glasgow Science Centre in Govan.

There will be three flights a day, running seven days a week between February and November.

David West, 50, founder and managing director of Loch Lomond Seaplanes said the venture will put Glasgow in the same league as Vancouver, Seattle and Sydney.