LOCH LINNHE’s history goes back to the early 1980s when the order for four new drive-through ferries was placed with Dunston’s of Hessle on the Humber. For years previously a number of routes had seen traffic levels build up steadily and were now at the point where the small ferries that were used could no longer cope with demand. Prime examples of this were the Largs – Cumbrae Slip, Lochranza – Claonaig, Colintraive – Rhubodach and Fishnish – Lochaline routes.

As with the ISLE OF CUMBRAE, the new ferries received Voith Schneider propulsion units fore and aft which meant they could manoeuvre around the tightest turns and berth with ease at their given slipways. The newbuilds were also more aesthetically pleasing when they emerged in 1986 and 1987. They had no funnels as such so their wheelhouses were painted red and given a black top. The lion emblem was added to either side of the wheelhouse and the mainmast rose at an angle above it

Off duty at Largs with her sister in service

In service at Lochaline

LOCH LINNHE remained on the Lochaline crossing for about four weeks before transferring to the Clyde in place of ISLE OF CUMBRAE which then took her place at Lochaline. Upon arrival at Largs she joined LOCH STRIVEN on the Cumbrae Slip service and allowed a two-ship, quarter hourly service from either terminal at peak times. Up to 48 cars could be carried in either direction in an hour when both sisters were in service – a 33% increase on a year earlier with just the ISLE OF CUMBRAE.

The Cumbrae crossing became the home of the two sisters for 11 years. Both would be in service during the summers and one would venture off to other routes on relief duties in the winters while the other one remained at Largs. As such LOCH LINNHE saw service at Iona, Lochaline, Lismore, Gigha and Bute while on relief duties. In the mid 1990s, like her sister, the LOCH LINNHE saw a winter on the Tarbert – Portavadie/Lochranza crossing as well.

At Portavadie, loading for Tarbert

Despite her success on the Loch Fyne crossing, the LOCH LINNHE was transferred again in early 1999 when she was replaced by the very vessel she ousted from Largs over a decade previously. The ISLE OF CUMBRAE arrived to take control of the Portavadie run in time for the summer season and the displaced ship moved over to the Western Isles for her next assignment.

Passing Loch Ranza off West Loch Tarbert

One departure from the routine did occur in the summer of 2001 when LOCH LINNHE switched places with the LOCH RIDDON for one summer and she returned to the Largs - Cumbrae Slip run.

LOCH LINNHE has remained the summer vessel operating out of Tobermory since 2002, and it looks as though she is set to become the main vessel on this route for 9 out of 12 months of the year, as she is becoming a bit on the small side for relief on the Barra and Lochaline routes - even in the winter months. Her relief for while she is away at Raasay and Gigha over the winter of 2007/8 is set to be the ISLE OF CUMBRAE.

Despite coming of age and turning 21, LOCH LINNHE is still very much a welcome member of the fleet, providing reliable service on her own route and providing useful extra capacity as relief cover for her fleetmates.