The lucrative cruising season is under way for Stornoway after the arrival of its first visitors.
The 16,144 tonne Astoria officially began the Western Isles cruise season when it arrived in port from Tobermory early yesterday morning.
It was a slightly delayed start to the season after a scheduled visit by the Astoria on March 24 had to be cancelled because of bad weather and rough seas.
The ship put 486 passengers ashore, with the majority visiting from elsewhere in Britain.
To mark the start of the 2016 cruise season Stornoway Port Authority harbour master Tony Morrison presented Captain Filipe Sousa of the Astoria with a handmade Harris Tweed plaque and a hamper with various local delicacies.
The Astoria is operated by Cruise and Maritime Voyages is the world’s oldest active ocean-going cruise ship.
It was launched on September 9, 1946 as the Stockholm and has passed through several owners and sailed under various names.
She was previously named Azores and began services as Astoria in March this year.
Astoria’s size determined the use of the port’s Sandwick anchorage and the passenger disembarked by tender and took a tour of the town and the island.
The vessel departed Stornoway at 5pm bound for Kirkwall.
Stornoway Port Authority chief executive Alex MacLeod said: “We were delighted to welcome the Astoria as the first visitor of the 2016 cruise season.
“Having cancelled her March 24 visit due to the weather, we were a little nervous this week awaiting her arrival.”
The next arrial in Stornoway is scheduled to be Marco Polo on Tuesday, April 19.
Stornoway is expected to enjoy it’s busiest ever cruise season this year with a record-breaking 70 ships booked to visit.
More than 25,000 passengers are expected to pass through the port, some 10,000 more than last year.
The port is also scheduled to welcome it’s largest ever arrival with P&O’s Azura, which can carry 3,096 passengers, due to visit in June.
Another highlight will be Cunard’s MS Queen Elizabeth which will arrive in port on Wednesday, June 26.