CalMac urges islanders to share memories of west coast stalwart, MV Hebridean Isles

23 September 2024

CalMac has appealed to passengers for yarns and photos of the oldest member of their open water fleet.

MV Hebridean Isles will call the final all-stop in a just about seven weeks with the vessel destined for the scrap yard.

CalMac said: “It’s not long until we bid farewell to MV Hebridean Isles, a CalMac stalwart, who is set for a well-earned retirement this November, almost 40 years after joining the fleet.

“We would really like to gather your fond memories of her, so that we can give the old lady a good send off.

“Please share your stories and photos with us so that we can mark the occasion with style.”

These can be sent to the shipping firm’s communications team at corporate.communications@calmac.co.uk by 29 September.

► End of the line for MV Hebridean Isles, CalMac’s oldest major ferry

MV Hebridean Isles will depart CalMac’s fleet after almost four decades of operation.

The vessel, which is one of the oldest in the CalMac fleet, should have been retied many years ago but the lack of replacement vessels saw her retained for longer than preferred.

She has primarily served Islay in recent years and carries out relief duties in the Western Isles.

The Heb Isles has been increasingly dogged by technical issues in recent years and - despite spending over £2.5 million last year to keep her going - the eyewatering bill for months of upgrade works to maintain her seaworthiness just for a little while longer saw CalMac bite the bullet.