New inland lifeboat for Loch Ness

The crew of the new lifeboat has undergone rigorous training

Scotland's first inland lifeboat service operated by the RNLI is officially taking to the water.

The Loch Ness rescue craft is taking over from the service which has been provided by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Atlantic 75 rigid inflatable lifeboat will be based at Temple Pier near Drumnadrochit.

This is the first time in 13 years that the RNLI has placed a lifeboat in a new location in Scotland.

The local volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew has been undertaking a variety of training exercises in readiness.

We're looking more and more into inland waters and it's part of our expertise now Gareth Wilson RNLI spokesman

Many of the crew will bring invaluable local knowledge and skills from their time on the previous rescue boat, operated by the MCA since 1995.

The volunteer lifeboat crew has already undertaken intensive training at the charity's Lifeboat College in Dorset.

RNLI spokesman Gareth Wilson said: "There shouldn't be any difference to be honest. It's getting busier and we took that into account when we considered taking this over.

"There's going to be a seamless changeover to ourselves but we're looking more and more into inland waters and it's part of our expertise now, whereas 13 years ago we concentrated on coastal rescue.

"So now we feel we're in a position where we can do this and hopefully provide fantastic 24 hour a day service".

Although this is a first for the RNLI in Scotland, the lifesaving charity already operates lifeboats on inland waters elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.