After almost four decades of service, Hebridean Isles will be replaced in a Scottish Government financed building programme.
ANDREW COOKE
The Scottish Government has allocated £115 million for two new ferries to be operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Skye triangle service from the mainland terminal at Kennacraig to Harris and North Uist.
Similar to the pair ordered for the Islay route and now under construction at Turkey’s Cemre yard, the new Skye sisters will be 94.38m in length and handle 450 passengers, together with 100 cars and 14 commercial vehicles. When delivered in 2026, the vessels replaced will include the long-serving Hebridean Isles (1885/3,40gt). One newcomer will run from Lochmaddy to Uig and Skye, while the other will provide a direct service between Uig and Tarbert, Harris.
As a result of the new order, the long-delayed Hull 802 from the Ferguson Yard at Port Glasgow on the Clyde will eventually be available to join sistership Glen Sannox on the Arran run between Ardrossan and the island terminal at Brodick.