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After losing many thousands of pounds of cruise ship business because of rough eather, there was a mini boom for the Lewis tourist trade when one passenger liner made a beeline for port - to fill up her water tanks.

 

The MV Sea Explorer made an unexpected call at Stornoway harbour on Wednesday.

 

Many of her 200 or so passengers and crew went shopping around the town or hopped on sightseeing tours across Lewis while the 4,200 tonne vessel topped up with fresh water before heading for St Kilda.

 

Angus Mackenzie of the Callanish Stones visitor centre welcomed the “absolute bonus” after so many cruise liner cancellations.

 

Mr Mackenzie rushed around phoning staff, asking them to come into work when three tour buses turned up.

 

It was so busy “even our handyman got his boiler suit off and put on a pinny to help out,” he said.

 

Well over 100 passengers and crew popped in for teas and coffees, while their gift shop did a roaring trade in Harris Tweed goods.

 

Mr Mackenzie highlighted the cruise ship market is a “very important part of our trade.”

 

Industry body Cruise Scotland estimates the cruise liners stopovers are worth around £100 value per passenger per port.

 

Gales and rough seas in recent days forced three passenger liners to sail past Stornoway while a fourth bypassed the port due to engine problems, resulting in a massive loss of trade.

 

Bob Adam, chairman of the local Cruise Ambassador Group said the bad start to the season was “extremely disappointing.”

 

“This is a growing market. It is unlimited really but the weather is our biggest handicap.”

 

He explained many cruise ships anchor in the open bay as they are too big to berth at the pier.

 

But strong winds whipping up choppy seas can make it too rough for passengers being taken ashore on small tenders.

 

Mr Adam said: “If the weather is rough, these vessels just can’t come in.

 

“They are holiday passengers; they don’t want to go into a smaller boat to come across heavy waves.

 

 

MV Sea Explorer called in at Stornoway

Cruise liner bonus visit  

14 May 2015