MV Isle of Islay begins journey to Scotland

Following her official handover to owners CMAL last week, a crew from CalMac is now onboard and will sail her back to Scotland. The repositioning voyage is expected to take around two weeks, depending on weather conditions.

During the journey home, MV Isle of Islay will call at two to three European ports for refuelling, depending on need and fuel testing results. The sailing will also provide the crew with an opportunity for familiarisation training, which will continue once they reach Scotland.

Once in Scottish waters, the CalMac crew will test the vessel in several ports and harbours and carry out local operational trials before she enters service.

A community event will be held on Islay to welcome the highly anticipated addition to the fleet. Guests will be able to tour the ferry and witness the ceremonial naming, during which a special edition bottle of Ardnahoe whisky will be used to christen the vessel.

While on board, guests will also see artwork on display from local school children who took part in a competition held across Islay and Jura. The winner’s pieces will be framed on the passenger deck, where they will be a permanent fixture.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I am pleased that the MV Isle of Islay will soon be in Scottish waters, bringing us another step closer to the vessel entering service.

“The MV Isle of Islay will support the people and economies of Islay and Jura, as well as enhance resilience across the Clyde and Hebrides network due to the cascade of other vessels. Full focus remains on preparing the vessel for entry into service as soon as possible.

“I want to thank everyone involved in the delivery of the MV Isle of Islay and look forward to officially welcoming the vessel to the CalMac fleet in the coming weeks.”

Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive at CMAL, said: “Today marks an important milestone for MV Isle of Islay as she begins her voyage back to Scotland.

“The island communities of Islay and Jura will welcome this news, and we look forward to seeing the vessel enter service and provide the much-needed boost to capacity and resilience on the route.”

Duncan Mackison, CEO at CalMac, said: "There has been a real sense of excitement at CalMac since MV Isle of Islay was delivered, particularly among the crew and local port teams where she’ll operate. Knowing that she is now on her way home has only added to this feeling, and we’re looking forward to seeing her reach Scottish shores and start serving Islay and Jura following crew familiarisation and trials.

"All islands served by major vessels will benefit when MV Isle of Islay enters service, and network trials during crew familiarisation will allow us to understand where she and her three sister vessels could potentially operate to. This, coupled with the fact she’ll add an extra vessel to the major fleet, means that flexibility and resilience in service provision will be greatly enhanced."

The MV Isle of Islay is the first of four ferries being constructed by the yard and will serve Islay and Jura when she enters service. Her sister vessel, MV Loch Indaal, is expected to join the fleet later this year.

The new vessel has a clear focus on freight and sufficient passenger accommodation. With the capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles. This equips the Islay routes with a 40 per cent increase in vehicle and freight capacity and will strengthen the overall resilience of CalMac’s wider fleet.