The World Stornoway

A residential ship owned by her "passengers" has dropped anchor off Stornoway in an unscheduled last minute visit on her way to Iceland.

The MS The World is at the end of a 12 day UK tour, following a four month journey around the Mediterranean.

Her residents are being tendered ashore from the anchorage between Arnish and Holm.

Her 200 or so travellers are a private community at sea.

The 43,200 tonne World is the largest privately owned, residential yacht on earth with 165 luxury residences and nearly 300 crew.

Together, her residents own the ship. Individuals and families from 19 countries own the 165 apartments onboard and circumnavigate the globe every two to three years.

A two-bed room suite - with two bathrooms - would cost nearly £2 million plus £200,000 annual fees. Larger units are double that and prospective occupants have to prove their net worth exceeds £3 million.

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

In 2015, 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-of-the-art golf simulator, the only full-size tennis court at sea, swimming pools, a spa, a fitness centre, expert destination lecturers, library and cinema.

The World comes to Stornoway

13 August 2015