Baroness Michie of Gallanach from Oban will sponsor the newest addition to the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet, MV Coruisk, when the ship is named in Armadale tomorrow (Thursday, August 14).

The £7.5million MV Coruisk, the sheltered water vessel which will operate on the Clyde in the winter and between Mallaig and Armadale in the summer, will be officially named by Baroness Michie at Armadale at mid-day. MV Coruisk is due take over the Mallaig to Armadale service later on Thursday afternoon.

Caledonian MacBrayne Chairman, Dr Harold Mills said: “I am delighted that Baroness Michie of Gallanach has agreed to sponsor MV Coruisk. This is the second ship we have named this summer and we are delighted to welcome the latest addition to the fleet. MV Coruisk is custom built to service the two areas and gives us flexibility to cover overhauls on the Upper Clyde in the winter, while servicing Mallaig to Skye in the summer.  Being double-ended, and with a side-loading facility, she will be able to meet all the demands placed on her by two very busy routes.  The addition of MV Coruisk to the fleet has allowed the company to deploy MV Lord of the Isles out of Oban, enhancing the services we provide to Mull, Tiree, Coll, Colonsay and the Outer Isles.”

The naming of MV Coruisk also marks publication of the latest book by CalMac Historian Ian McCrorie. Entitled “Sea Routes from Mallaig”, it is available from the Marketing Department in Gourock, priced £4.95, plus £1.50 postage.