A Ross-shire businessman is sharing his appetite for adventure with tourists this summer.

With assistance from Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), engineer Brian Eadie has set up `Seascape Expeditions' which is offering holidaymakers the thrilling chance to explore the coastline around Ullapool and the Summer Isles in a 12 seater high-speed rigid inflatable boat or RIB.

Mr Eadie, who previously worked for British Leyland, fell in love with the Highlands in the 1970s when he began coming to the west coast to pursue his leisure interest of off-road motor-cycling.

When he moved to the Dundonnell area 22 years ago, he met and married his wife Aida and since then they have run three successful businesses, two of which are still in operation today.

Mr Eadie operates Dundonnell Engineering, which mainly concentrates on vehicle maintenance and repairs, while Mrs Eadie has an arts and craft shop in Dundonnell.

Mr Eadie also sold fresh and smoked wild salmon for a number of years before selling the bag netting business locally. However he retained the RIB he used to retrieve the fish and transports local doctors and nurses to clinics on the Scoraig Peninsula.

It has also been privately chartered by government agencies, local estates and divers.

Now Mr Eadie has bought a larger RIB and is providing tourist charter cruises. The total cost of the project is œ51,000 with RACE investing œ28,500. It will create the equivalent of 1.75 full time jobs plus two additional casual jobs during the summer months.

Mr Eadie said: "During my teens I was a sailing instructor and would race yachts and catamarans and I am now in the process of obtaining my Coastal Skipper's Certificate, which is necessary for my new business.

"I have been involved in the tourist service industry for years and believe that nowadays visitors are looking for something different and exciting to do while on holiday."

RACE chief executive Gordon Cox said: "There are a number of other charter companies operating out of Ullapool and the surrounding area, but this offers the visitor in search of thrills and excitement the adrenaline rush of skipping over the waves at high-speeds while enjoying the breathtaking coastal scenery which the West Coast has to offer.

"Mr and Mrs Eadie's years of experience in the tourism and service industries means they have a good knowledge of what tourists want. This new business can only benefit tourism in Wester Ross by luring new visitors, or persuading existing holidaymakers to stay longer in the area."