CalMac’s Turkish-built ferry is heading to the port she will call home – and which gave her her name.
The MV Isle of Islay will arrive at the island she is set to serve for the first time later this week.
The vessel, which has just completed a short period in drydock for a mandatory hull survey, departed on network trials on Tuesday.
She will initially complete sea trials, before she takes in Troon, Brodick and Campbeltown on today.
The vessel will then head to Port Askaig on Islay and remain there for commissioning works and crew training.
MV Isle of Islay will complete trials at Port Askaig, Colonsay, Oban, Coll, Tiree, Castlebay, Lochmaddy, Stornoway, Ullapool, Tarbert and Uig between Saturday 14 March and Tuesday 17 March.
Upon returning to Kennacraig on Wednesday 18 March, the crew will complete the final preparations for entering service.
CalMac plan for the vessel to carry passengers ahead of the start of the summer timetable on Friday 27 March.
CalMac’s Fleet Management Director, Louis de Wolff, said: “Network trials are a key part of getting MV Isle of Islay ready for service, as we will get a clear picture of where she and her three sister vessels can operate.
“That is vital for building in the resilience and flexibility in services we expect these new vessels to bring and should allow us to shorten the time it takes to get MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore into service once they are delivered.
“We’re excited that communities across the Clyde and Hebrides will get to see the vessel steaming their way in the coming days. Soon, she’ll greatly enhance the ferry service to the mainland that the people of Islay and Jura depend on.”
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Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Full focus remains on preparing the MV Isle of Islay to enter service as soon as is practicable for the people and economy of Islay and Jura.
“These next steps will enable the crew to fully test the vessel’s capabilities, and the results of the network trials should allow for the following three Islay-class vessels to enter service sooner, once they are delivered.”
