The Hebrides comes to Arran

Everyone seemed to like MV Hebrides, which was on the Brodick-Ardrossan run for the first time while the Caledonian Isles was away for an annual health check. ‘She’s a nice, cosy ship,’ someone said after a much-enjoyed crossing, ‘and you can see out!’ Makes a change from an observation lounge where you can’t observe more than a passing seagull without standing up. The Hebrides, Glasgow-built in 2000, feels warm and comfortable, with well-designed areas for snoozing or snacking or getting a bit of work done – desks with their own work-lamps, brilliant! The ship is quiet, too, with no manic clanking and shuddering when the steering engines kick in. The harbour gangway at Ardrossan, needless to say, had a fit of the heebies at the mere thought of connecting with a strange boat, so foot passengers trudged off via the car deck. In every other way, being aboard the Hebrides was a pleasant experience, and despite some rough weather, she sailed in and out of Ardrossan with nonchalent ease. Whatever we have after the C – (supply your own adjective) Isles, let’s hope the same mistakes don’t get made again.