On Tuesday 12th March, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the launch of our flagship vessel, the 48-passenger cruise ship Hebridean Princess, formerly MV Columba, with a formal lunch on board attended by HRH The Princess Royal.

On the 12th March 1964, MV Columba was launched at the Hall Russell yard in Aberdeen, and after extensive rebuilding renamed as Hebridean Princess in 1989.

The vessel is the only cruise ship to have received a Royal Warrant.

Of the anniversary, Hebridean Island Cruises‘ Managing Director, Ken Charleson, said:

“We were delighted to welcome HRH The Princess Royal back on board Hebridean Princess to help us celebrate such a momentous occasion. Since 1989, Hebridean Princess has established herself as the epitome of luxury, small-ship Scottish cruising, earning an enviable reputation for her renowned level of service and attention to detail.”

Charleson added:

“It is testament to her design and build quality that Hebridean Princess is still sailing the waters for which she was designed and built. After thirty-five years of luxury cruising, Hebridean Princess has outlived MV Columba.”