Campbeltown RNLI meet His Majesty King Charles III

The RNLI’s Patron visited Campbeltown as part of Royal Week in Scotland where Their Majesties take time to celebrate Scottish culture, community and achievements, and to pay recognition to people’s great work.

RNLI representatives who had the opportunity to meet His Majesty at the Campbeltown ferry terminal included full-time Coxswain Ruaridh McAulay and volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, David Conner. His Majesty also met the RNLI crew who bought the station’s Severn class lifeboat, RNLB Ernest and Mary Shaw, alongside the quay to be part of the special occasion.

David Conner, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Campbeltown RNLI, said: ‘It was a huge honour to meet King Charles III today. The King was very interested in the area and our work to help save lives at sea.

‘We are incredibly proud of the efforts of all our volunteers who help keep Campbeltown RNLI operational and being given the opportunity to talk to our Patron about the RNLI’s work in Campbeltown was a huge privilege. The atmosphere has been jubilant today, and it will certainly be a day we will never forget.’

The Royal visit to Campbeltown is part of Royal Week in Scotland with RNLI volunteers joining Their Majesties at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the annual garden party on Tuesday 1 July. Each year, RNLI volunteers are nominated to attend this special event and this year, Joanna Stebbings, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Loch Ness RNLI, Juliet Blackie from the RNLI shop in Mallaig, and Fiona Campbell, one of the RNLI fundraisers in Oban, were recognised for their outstanding service to the charity. They met up with a number of other RNLI volunteers on the day who had been nominated by their respective Lord-Lieutenants.

Notes to editors

· Campbeltown lifeboat station has been operating since 1861. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Campbeltown Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations

RNLI media contacts

Carla Jackson, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.