Hovercraft Trials

Portobello - Kirkcaldy

Enlarge this photo

   ©

Hovercraft Trials

Background

This is a trial service for 12 days, Monday to Saturday, beginning July 16, 2007.

During the trial, this hovercraft is providing an hourly service between Portobello (Edinburgh) and Kirkcaldy, about 11 miles to the north, across the Firth of Forth in Fife.  The journey time is 20 minutes each way.

If successful, Stagecoach hope to introduce a permanent service, probably beginning in 2008, possibly using two hovercrafts.

The Photo

This photo was taken on the second day of the trial service, July 17, 2007.

The weather was fine, with more people on this section of the beach than are normally seen.  The hovercraft is manoeuvering into position to allow the remaining passengers to disembark.

The coast of East Lothian, and one of the chimneys of Cockenzie Power station about 6 miles to the east of Portobello, can be seen in the background.

An extra service had been added at lunchtime to cope with the passenger demand, so the service was no longer running to schedule.  This photo was taken at 4.59pm.  Arrival at Portobello was scheduled for 4.20pm and departure at 4.30pm.

Hovercraft