Passengers to Stornoway increased to 9,346 this year compared to 5,683 in 2009, a rise of 64%. Cruise calls were up 34% at 31 compared with 23 last year.
The season began in the Western Isles, Scotland, on April 23 with the arrival of Quest, on charter to Noble Caledonia, and concluded on September 4 with calls from both Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud and Classic International Cruises’ Princess Daphne. Hebridean Island Cruises’ Hebridean Princess was a regular visitor calling five times this year as did Quest.
Newcomers to the port next year are Quark Expeditions’ Ocean Nova, Ocean Majesty, Silversea Cruises’ Prince Albert II and Clipper Odyssey.
The port can accommodate ships up to 150m in length and 6.5m draught alongside at East No 3 pier, a mere five minutes’ walk from the centre of town. Anchorage is also available: inner for 165m length, 7m depth and 18,000gt; outer with no size limit and a depth of 17m.
In 2009 the port authority installed an 18m pontoon on the east side of No 3 pier designed to accommodate tenders alongside. It connects to the main pier deck via a 27m bridge which is compliant with the disability regulations.
