A BT engineer resigned from his job after being caught seven times the drink drive limit.
Donald Kearney of Banavie, Fort William, appeared at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.
He was banned from driving for two years and eight months and fined £500.
The 61-year-old pleaded guilty to drink driving at Fishnish ferry terminal on the isle of Mull on April 30. He had 142mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
The court heard that the incident came to light after his van collided with vehicle parked in front of it at 4.55pm.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “It was abundantly apparent that he was under the influence. Police arrived and the accused was still there in the drivers seat. He smelled strongly of alcohol.”
Solicitor Jane McLaren said Kearney had worked as an engineer for BT and was working at the local exchange on Mull when the incident took place. She said he has since resigned on the advice of his union.
He had finished working on the Saturday then drank late into the night and into the early hours of the Sunday morning, she added. He was on his way home on Sunday evening when the incident occurred.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson said: “There was no more drinking on the Sunday? A heroic quantity must have been drunk to still be at that level at that time the next day. It is amazing he is still alive.”