Posted on

Scotland Sea Plane Flight – Claudia Takes To The Skies So You Don’t Have To

If you had the chance to take to the skies over Loch Lomond on a thrilling Scotland seaplane flight, would you do it?

We’re talking soaring into the clouds from a watery start in the famous Loch and gliding above the Scottish West Coast, before touching back down into the water once more.

TA-DAH.TV certainly did! So Claudia, our very own Jane Blonde, hot-footed it up the Scottish Highlands for a daring aerial adventure like no other

Scotland seaplane flight taking off on Loch Lomond

What’s it Like Taking a Seaplane Flight On Loch Lomond?

After hot air ballooning in Marrakech, we thought we’d had all the aerial antics we could handle. But, seaplane trips in Scotland are an unforgettable experience. This one certainly lived up to that high billing. And no, we didn’t spot Nessie!

Is it nail-biting when you leave the Loch? Absolutely – touching back down again is no picnic either if you’re not the most confident flyer. But, once up in the air, all that anxiousness melts away and you’re left with staggering views of the shimmering west coast of Scotland.

We definitely were not ready for the clear blue Caribbean-esque waters that we found kissing the craggy coastline.

Where Did We Go On Our Scotland Seaplane Flight?

Starting from an understated jetty outside the stunning Cameron House Hotel, around 55 km from Glasgow, we took flight across the rugged southwestern coast of Scotland.

After thick cloud cover saw us head southwards, we glided majestically over Loch Striven to see a piece of real-life history. This Loch was the testing grounds for the infamous dambuster bombers and scientists back in World War II. But that was just one iconic moment on this flight.

We also flew over the island of Jura and George Orwell’s secluded hideaway near the water. The cloistered cottage was the setting for his creation of the sci-fi classic, 1984.

Unfortunately, more thick clouds meant that was the last we saw of the Hebridean Islands (or anything for that matter). So, we quickly made our way back down to terra firma and a much-needed cup of cocoa in the incredible Cameron House

Claudia Peifer sitting in a seaplane soaring over the west coast of Scotland

How Fast Does a Seaplane Travel?

Due to the floats on the bottom of the plane, seaplanes generally travel between 130 – 140 knots. That’s roughly 149 – 160 mph.

While that might sound super quick, it’s important to highlight that this is slower than standard land planes.

Those floats do their job in helping the plane take off and land on the water, but they also increase drag, weight and surface area which all help slow your roll.

How Long Are the Loch Lomond Seaplane Trips?

The Cameron House seaplane journey along the west coast of Scotland covers (roughly) 70 miles. However, if you want to upgrade for a longer experience, Explorer flights cover 110 miles.

Don’t worry about getting out and back on either of those adventures, as seaplanes in general are capable of much longer journeys.

Seaplane lands back at the jetty outside Cameron House Hotel.

How Far Can a Seaplane Travel?

The distance most seaplanes will travel depends on a number of factors including weight, fuel, conditions and wind resistance. However, the Loch Lomond Seaplanes used in this experience have a maximum range of around 790 nautical miles.

Hit Up Our Travel Channel For More Awesome Adventures

Want to hear more about Claudia’s next whacky adventure? Then you’d better head over to our Travel Channel.

That’s where you’ll find details of what happened when we hit the red carpet for Eva Longoria’s Global Gift Gala, hit the ice at the Somerset House skating rink, and tasted the tantalising tipples at Germany’s Natur Pur wine festival.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter to be the first to know about our latest escapades.

Posted on

London – Hilma Af Klint & Piet Mondrian from 20 April – 3 Sept’23

London’s Southbank is a huge hub for art & the performing arts, and the Tate Modern is the jewel in the crown. We love walking along the Thames, checking out book stalls, going for endless coffees and ending up at the Tate Modern’s iconic building, with the infamous ‘wobbly bridge’ right in front of it. Make a point of visiting to take in the sights when you’re in town next as Londoners just love this space.

London’s Tate Modern

Housed in London’s former Bankside Power Station, resides London’s famous Tate Modern. Part of the Tate network of galleries in England, it is not only one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world, but also one of the most visited art museums in the world. The Tate Modern’s large lay-out allows for the creation of vast exhibition spaces, displaying contemporary pieces dating from 1900 to the modern day.

This space also provides room for temporary exhibitions, such as the current favourite and one on many bucket lists – Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. TA-DAH.TV reports, that this showcase will run until 27 March 2022, so plenty of time for you to transport yourself into Kusama’s unique vision of endless reflections. We recommend you book your tickets soon, as this popular exhibition quickly sells out.

Tate Modern’s Exhibitions

The Turbine Hall, originally used to house the generators of the old power station, provides a grand space for specially commissioned works by contemporary artists. Works are displayed between October and March each year. Notably Ai Weiwei’s ground-breaking Sunflower Seeds filled the space of The Turbine Hall in 2010, which saw life-sized sunflower seed husks, intricately hand-crafted in porcelain, poured into the space.

Other works like The Weather Project and EMBANKMENT have also been displayed here. During the period of the year when The Turbine Hall is not exhibiting large pieces, smaller occasional events and exhibitions are held here, such as Damien Hirst’s For The Love of God.

Across other areas of the vast building, temporary exhibitions take over spaces for several months, drawing in crowds of art lovers and tourists.

Some of the exhibitions at the Tate Modern include:

  • Hyundai Commission: Anicka Yi
  • Sophie Taeuber-Arp
  • Beuys’ Acorns
  • Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms
  • Surrealism Beyond Borders
  • Lubaina Himid

Tate Britain

Tate Britain is the oldest within the galleries of the Tate network, found on Millbank in the City of Westminster. Opened in 1897 this gallery houses a substantial collection of works from the Tudor-period. With a range of pieces from J.M.W. Turner, it is traditionally named the National Gallery of British Art, and was quickly nicknamed the Tate Gallery after its founder Sir Henry Tate. In 1932 the gallery adopted this name, to be known as it is today.

Across the beautiful period building, with its modern tract created by world-famous architects Herzog & de Meuron, you will find historic and famous pieces of British art, including whole rooms dedicated to particular artists such as Tracey Emin, John Latham, Douglas Gordon and more. Often these rooms are subject to change and rotation over time. Tate Britain also notably hosts the annual Turner Prize exhibition.

Tate Liverpool

Based on Liverpool’s waterfront within the Albert Dock, this branch of the Tate Gallery was first opened in an event hosted by Prince Charles in 1988. The Liverpudlian space houses pieces from the Tate Collection which over time has grown to feature a wide range of British art dating from 1500 to the modern day.

Like other venues of the Tate network, Tate Liverpool also hosts many temporary exhibitions and until 2003 this gallery was the largest of modern art in the UK to be found outside of London.

Past exhibitions at the Tate Liverpool include:

  • Lucian Freud: Real Lives
  • Don McCullin
  • Louise Bourgeois in Focus
  • Aliza Nisenbaum

Tate St. Ives

Amongst one of the most visited attractions in the UK, The Tate St. Ives in beautiful Cornwall is the youngest addition to the organisation. Built between 1988 and 1993 it is located on the site of an old gasworks looking over Porthmeor Beach. Since its major refurbishment in 2015, which saw the gallery close until 2017, the Tate St. Ives has hosted a number of stunning art exhibitions including:

  • Rebecca Warren All That Heaven Allows
  • Virginia Woolf: An Exhibition Inspired by Her Writings
  • Rosalind Nashashibi and Lucy Skaer, Thinking through other artists

One famous exhibition was held there in 1999, with the aim of celebrating the solar eclipse. Hosting an exhibition called As Dark as Light, with work from collaborating artists and local school children was a great success! St. Ives is always worth a visit with its ‘Mediterranean weather’ and a stroll around the Tate there makes it even sweeter.