The cruise season of 2011 has come to an end with the departure of MV ‘Fram’ on 24 September 2011.

The ‘Fram’ - an expedition cruise ship that usually tours the Arctic, Antarctic and Greenland, visited Stornoway on her inaugural voyage in 2007 and has called in to the Port four times since.      

Stornoway Port Authority marked the end of this year’s cruise season by presenting the Master of the ‘Fram’ with a framed certificate and bottle of whisky.                          

This season has been a successful one for Stornoway with 29 visits from 17 cruise ships, bringing around 8,000 passengers to the islands, eager to explore Lewis and Harris. This figure would have been higher had several cruise ships not had to cancel their visit to Stornoway due to adverse weather conditions.

According to a recent study for the cruise industry in Scotland, each cruise passenger brings an estimated £100 to the local economy; therefore approximately £800,000 has been brought into the Outer Hebrides this year just through the cruise industry.

Chief Executive of Stornoway Port Authority, Jane Maciver said: “Cruise ships are not a major source of income to the Port Authority but we see them as a vital ingredient in the wider economic picture as they introduce thousands of people each year to these islands. Provided they have a good experience here these people may then choose to return again for longer shore-based holidays.

It is vital therefore that every person and organisation they come into contact with during their short visit is committed to ensuring that they leave wanting to return again. Local retailers, car hire, taxis, cafes and tour support operations all benefit from the cruise ships and these islands have something to offer every visitor – whatever their interest may be. It is up to all of us to work together to ensure that we realise the potential in the cruise market for the benefit of the whole community”.

Things are only set to improve for the Outer Hebrides as Stornoway Port Authority continues to work alongside other tourism organisations on the islands to unleash the area’s full potential for accommodating cruise ships and passengers. As a founding member of Cruise Europe and Cruise Scotland, the Port Authority continues to work to make Stornoway one of the top cruising destinations in Britain in coming years.