Stornoway received a welcomed tourism boost when a shipload of millionaires dropped in unexpectedly.
A luxury residential vessel owned by her passengers detoured to the Western Isles after a forecast of storms on her voyage to Iceland.
MS The World ended her 12 day UK tour in Stornoway, following a four month journey around the Mediterranean.
The 43,200 tonne World is the largest privately owned, residential yacht on earth.
Together, her residents -
Chris Meyers from Santiago, US, is borrowing one of his rich aunt’s two apartments as his wife, Brit, and their two children holiday onboard for a month.
Mr Meyers said: “Onboard, the vessel in unbelievable, the high class you can possibly imagine.
He added: “Stornoway is a beautiful little town with phenomenal views.”
Margaret Macleod of the Harris Tweed Hebrides shop in Stornoway said they were busy during the day with people from the ship buying up tweed accessories like bags and purses.
Ms Macleod: “Its great to see them around Stornoway. They are particularly interested in Harris Tweed.
“This was an unexpected visit and having such a prestigious ship coming in is really a boost for the island and to the Harris Tweed brand in particular.”
Hebridean Cottage Crafts shop on Point Street was busy with ship’s travellers popping in all the time to purchase tweed items, locally made coasters and gifts.
Lynn Macdonald, one of partners in the business, said: “It was definitely a good surprise. They were spending a bit of money.”
The craft shop stayed opened later than usual when the first tranche of people off the World arrive on Tuesday evening.
Some owners live on the vessel year round, with the majority continuing to be active in their professional lives and spending three to four months onboard.
This year the ship is sailing approximately 41,000 nautical miles, visiting 104 ports of call.
The vessel has six restaurants, golf facilities with onboard putting greens and a
state-
One owner is Howard Dickstein 70, an attorney from California who represents American India tribes.
He and his wife, Jenenne, enjoyed a walk around the Lews Castle grounds before cycling six miles to Point and back.
Despite travelling in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away from his office, Mr Dickstein works from his apartment onboard The World.
During his four month spell in his floating home, he keeps in contact by internet and telephone, only flying back from foreign ports when required to attend important meetings in the US.
Mr Dickstein said: “We have an apartment which is in a different place every few days. We can get on or off as we want.
“It’s the most convenient way you can possibly travel.”
“Residents own the ship as a kind of co-
Howard and Jenenne Dickstein from California
The Meyers' family
Shipload of millionaires drop in on Stornoway
14 August 2015