MV Isle of Islay sails on homecoming voyage to Scotland

The MV Isle of Islay has begun her maiden voyage from the Cemre shipyard in Turkey, setting sail for Scotland following her official handover to owners Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited last week.

A CalMac crew is now onboard for the repositioning journey, which is expected to take around two weeks depending on weather conditions. During the passage north, the vessel is scheduled to call at two to three European ports for refuelling, subject to operational need and fuel testing results. The voyage will also allow the crew to undertake initial familiarisation training ahead of further work once the ship reaches Scotland.

After arriving in Scottish waters, the vessel will undergo a programme of local trials, including visits to several ports and harbours, before entering passenger service. These tests will form part of the wider process to prepare the ship for operational deployment on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

A community event will be held on Islay to mark the vessel’s arrival. The ferry will be formally named during a ceremony using a special edition bottle of Ardnahoe whisky, with guests invited onboard to tour the ship. Artwork created by local school pupils from Islay and Jura will also be displayed permanently on the passenger deck, following a community competition.

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.”

CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs described the departure from Turkey as a key milestone, saying: “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.”

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said the vessel’s delivery had generated strong interest within the company, particularly among crews and port teams. “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,” he said. He added that network trials would help determine where the vessel and her sister ships could operate, improving flexibility across the wider fleet.

The MV Isle of Islay is the first of four new ferries being built at the Cemre yard for service in the Hebrides. Her sister ship, MV Loch Indaal, is expected to join the fleet later this year.

Designed with a strong focus on freight capability, the vessel can carry up to 450 passengers and either 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles. This represents a 40 percent increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes and is intended to strengthen resilience across CalMac’s wider ferry network.