Caledonian MacBrayne's MV Hebridean Isles' Final Day in Service - Departing Ullapool 14/11/2024

Today, 21/11/2024, marks the expiration of MV Hebridean Isles' certification, with the work necessary to extend this deemed uneconomical. As such, one week ago, while relieving MV Loch Seaforth on the Lewis Freight Service, she operated what became her last ever commercial sailing for CalMac after almost 39 years in service. Operating an amended timetable due to a radar fault the previous week, her last visit to Ullapool was on Thursday 14th November 2024 with her once daily sailing from and to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Although due to operate the following two days, weather conditions on the Friday and the return of MV Loch Seaforth on the Saturday meant that this became her last crossing on the first route she ever operated back in 1985. Her very final departure from Ullapool is shown in full, with a much busier than expected sailing, as she was also covering for MV Isle of Lewis on the passenger sailings, as she had been removed from service the previous day with an engine fault. It was rather fitting to see her in full passenger service for one last time, compared to a rather deserted sailing that I caught the previous day. Videos of my final crossings on Heb Isles will be posted soon, but for today, I thought we would pay tribute to one of the most elegant and loved vessels in CalMac's fleet. Having left Stornoway on Sunday 17th, arriving at King George V Dock in Glasgow on Monday 18th, she will never sail under her own power again. Farewell MV Hebridean Isles, 1985 - 2024.