The overhaul schedule of 2006/7 involved the start of a conversion
programme among the larger units of the fleet. The first vessel to
undergo the procedure was the Hebrides. Her overhaul took place on the
Clyde in March and part of this was the job of converting her to burn
heavy fuel oil as an alternative to diesel in an attempt to improve fuel
efficiency and reduce her running costs. Unfortunately the process took
a little longer than planned and the Hebrides was still on the Clyde
when the summer timetable commenced. With Clansman relieving her at Uig,
and Isle of Arran in turn covering at Oban, the opportunity was taken to
run a series of trials on the new fuel. These were best carried out with
the vessel running long distances and so she was placed on Clansman's
normal roster from Oban, thus freeing Isle of Arran to return to Islay.
For one week the Hebrides carried out sailings to Coll and Tiree and to
Barra and South Uist, allowing up to 5 hours continuous running. A
series of photos below show Hebrides while she was taking Clansman's
place in April 2007.
Leaving Gourock after her overhaul (Picture: SoC Crew)
Loading at Oban linkspan (Picture: S Naylor)
Lying in Craignure Bay with Isle of Mull (Picture: SoC Crew)
Approaching Scarinish Pier, Tiree (Picture: S Naylor)
In the Firth of Lorn, heading for Barra (Picture: SoC Crew)
Leaving Oban Bay (Picture: S Naylor)
Turning in Gott Bay (Picture: S Naylor)
In the Firth of Lorn, passing Lord of the Isles (Picture: SoC Crew)
Lying at Scarinish pier (Picture: S Naylor)
Preparing to leave Oban (Picture: S Naylor)
On passage from Coll to Tiree (Picture: S Naylor)
Leaving Oban for Castlebay (Picture: S Naylor)
Leaving Craignure to follow Lord of the Isles
to Oban (Picture: SoC Crew)
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