New Islay ferry being built in Turkey completes second sea trial months late
The MV Isle of Islay is one of four vessels being built at the Cemre shipyard to serve west coast routes.
It was meant to be delivered in October 2024 but supply issues, labour shortages and bad weather has seen months of delay.
On Tuesday, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the procurement body for Scotland's ferry operator CalMac, said the MV Isle of Islay was set to be delivered by the end of September.
The second set of sea trials took place in the Sea of Marmara from July 16 to July 20, with staff from CMAL and CalMac in attendance.
The trials tested the vessel's battery energy storage system, the 'optimisation' of the power management system, and the energy management system.
It comes after shipbuilders at Cemre Marin Endustri in Yalova, Turkey, conducted the first set of sea trials in May.
The ferry has since returned to the shipyard where it is undergoing further outfitting work.
The MV Isley of Islay is to be able to carry up to 450 passengers and 100 cars.
Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL, said: 'The successful testing of the hybrid system marks a significant step forward in completing this new vessel for Islay and Jura.
'The team at Cemre have made good progress in the build programme for the vessel, and we continue to work closely with the shipyard as we move into the final stages of the build.'
Three other ferries are being built at the Turkish shipyard. They are the MV Loch Indaal – also set to serve Islay – and the MV Claymore and MV Lochmor – which will serve the Little Minch routes.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
2 hours ago
- Time Out Dubai
8 luxury experiences in Dubai that are worth every dirham
Between brunches at sea, spontaneous staycays and gold-leaf-topped dinners, Dubai knows how to cater to the bougie side in all of us. But with so many lavish options, how do you know which ones genuinely offer value, and which ones don't? That's where we come in. As resident experts, we've rounded up some of the most luxurious experiences in Dubai that are actually worth blowing your budget on. Whether you're out to impress a date, spoil your parents with a special night, or celebrate a milestone, these picks are all about making your time count. Here are the most luxurious (and worth every dirham) ways to treat yourself or someone special. For the thrills Skydive over The Palm Credit: Supplied Cost: Dhs2,199 (per person) Have you really seen Dubai if you haven't free-fallen over it from 13,000 feet? Skydive Dubai's tandem jump over Palm Jumeirah is the kind of thrill that'll be replaying in your head for years. The views are epic, the adrenaline is next-level, and yes, the photos are 100 percent worth it. Book here Tour Dubai in a helicopter Cost: From Dhs710 (per person) Not that brave? Don't worry, you can do something that requires much less nerve. A heli tour is the slicker, chopper-fuelled way to soak in Dubai's iconic skyline. With unbelievable vistas of Burj Khalifa and The Palm and the wind blowing in your face, this is one sightseeing trip where you won't have to elbow through a crowd. Book here Charter a luxury yacht Cost: From Dhs1,350 (up to 12 people, 2 hours) Want to treat your bestie to a birthday party in true Dubai fashion? Charter a luxurious yacht and sail into the horizon with something chilled in hand. You can rent a private yacht that comes with a captain and one crew for two hours. Book here To pamper yourself Enjoy a surreal desert getaway Credit: Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort Cost: From Dhs975 When you're feeling like the city's getting too crammed, treat yourself to a desert getaway at Bab Al Shams. You can gaze up at clear skies, enjoy the nighttime cool and have alfresco dinners in candlelight. Rooms start from Dhs975, but the setting makes it feel like you've wandered into your favourite novella, so it's basically priceless. Opposite Endurance City, (04 809 6100). Gift yourself a Turkish hammam Credit: Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Cost: Dhs1,000 (per person) If you're going to treat yourself (or someone special), it's easy to go all out in Dubai. If you're looking to gift a loved one a bit of R&R time, the Turkish hammam at Talise Ottoman Spa located at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is the gold standard of relaxation. They'll float out feeling completely renewed, swaddled in rich oils and the warmth of centuries-old rituals. Open daily 9am-9.30pm. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, (04 453 0456). Get a personalised beauty treatment Credits: Supplied Cost: Upon request If you know the spa game, you'll know Ayurvedic treatments are it. And if you're looking to truly stretch those muscles, a snehana (an oil massage) is a must. Check into the luxurious Ayurvedic wellness resort, Sohum Wellness, for a treatment tailored to your body type. You'll start with a consultation and leave with a plan that feels more like a reset than a pamper session. Prices vary. Open daily 9am-9pm. Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Quoz, (04 397 0271). To dine Enjoy dinner in the sky Credit: Dinner in the Sky Cost: From Dhs699 (per person) You'll be suspended 50 metres in the air. Yes, you'll be strapped in and yes, the food's actually good. Dinner in the Sky offers panoramic views of Dubai Marina as you're hoisted up crane-style with a full meal served mid-air. From Dhs650. Daily 2pm-3.30pm, 3.30pm-5pm, 5pm-6.30pm, 6.30pm-8pm, 8pm-9.30pm and 9.30pm-11pm. Al Sufoh, next to Zero Gravity, (058 819 3296). Sit down for a tasting menu at the best restaurant in Dubai Credit: FZN by Björn Frantzén Cost: Dhs2,000 (per person) FZN by Björn Frantzén, the winner of the best restaurant in Dubai at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025, offers Nordic-Japanese flavours and dishes that look too pretty to eat. Its Dhs2,000 tasting menu is pricey, but when you try the experience, you'll know why. Service makes you feel VIP so if you've got a special occasion coming up, you know where to go. Dhs2,000 (tasting menu), Dhs3,4000 (with grape pairing), Dhs3,100 (mixed drinks pairing), Dhs2,750 (zero percent pairing). Tue-Sat, 7pm (last seating at 8.15pm). Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Looking for things to do in Dubai? Exploring Dubai? Here are 10 incredible things to do that are (almost) free Wholesome activities without breaking the bank The coolest indoor sports to try this summer Feel the burn in the best way 6 free places to catch the sunset in Dubai Views on point
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside luxury beach-side hotel with 12 restaurants and roller-blading waiters serving drinks on the click of an app
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I SUPPOSE I could walk over and order a drink at the bar... Or I could just tap a button on the hotel app, continue lapping up the sunshine and a waitress in rollerblades will zip over with an ice-cold bottle of Efes? 15 The stunning resort has all you need for a memorable holiday Credit: SUPPLIED 15 Some of the rooms set on their own swim-up pool area Credit: OZGUR SECMEN That sounds much more like it. Welcome to life at the stunning five-star Lara Barut Collection, one of the finest ultra all-inclusive hotels in beautiful Antalya, Turkey. With my wife unavailable due to work commitments, my daughter Gemma was only too happy to take time out of her busy schedule — doing nothing for the next three months while waiting to start university — and accompany me. Antalya is within easy reach of Scotland, with flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh seven days a week. Lara Barut Collection is nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Lara Beach, a swift 25-minute drive from the airport — a real bonus, as anyone who has experienced a two-hour plus coach trip to their hotel in Turkey will testify. The sweeping approach to Lara Barut Collection with impressive local sculptures at the entrance hint at the opulence that awaits. A welcome drink served in the lobby while checking in is most appreciated as you slide into holiday mode. Lara Barut Collection is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, but you wouldn't know it. A recent huge renovation programme means the place is absolutely pristine. There are 16 room categories available, including suites with Turkish bath and jacuzzi, and swim-up rooms and suites. 3 tips to help you get the cheapest flights when booking holidays My sea-view room is stylish and well equipped. The Nespresso coffee machine is a modern touch and the minibar is restocked daily with premium drinks and snacks and delicious dried and chocolate-dipped fruit. A pillow menu is most welcome, as is the 55in TV and complimentary beach bag. Gemma assures me the hairdryer and straighteners also add a touch of convenience, but to be honest, my hair straightening days are long behind me. 15 Spacious seaview room in hotel's main building 15 Bathrooms are luxurious with special added touches like hair straighteners 15 Scott and daughter Gemma loved watching sunsets from their balcony Credit: SUPPLIED 15 Swim-up rooms are a special treat A complimentary massage in the luxurious spa and wellness centre goes down a treat, with other treatments available from the friendly team. When it comes to dining, guests are spoiled for choice with 13 restaurants — eight of them a la carte and available for unlimited use — and seven bars. You won't go hungry here! It's easy to see why Lara Barut Collection was recently awarded Best Family Hotel by luxury hotel connoisseurs Conde Nast Johansens and reviews on all the major websites back that up. The hotel's aquapark has a variety of slides for all ages. Kids seemed to love the short queues and big thrills. 15 The Aqua park will keep the kids entertained the whole holiday There is a massive enclosed kids' club area for the little ones, with indoor and shaded outdoor facilities. They also have a superb baby star concept, providing cots, strollers, baby bath, steriliser, bottle warmer — literally everything you usually have to haul with you. Teenagers are also well catered for, with pool, table tennis, arcade games, PS5s and a raft of activities. There's also a well-equipped indoor gym and outdoor crossfit area, while archery, air rifle, mini-golf, football, squash and tennis prove popular with guests. Daily activities such as yoga, pilates, zumba and aqua gym are available and there's an indoor cinema with movies every day. There are two main pool areas, with plenty of sunbeds available, so no annoying early-morning rush required. The unique rollerblade service was a brilliant idea that went down a treat and the staff were certainly kept busy providing refreshing drinks with temperatures in the 30s. There's also a stunning lagoon, with a swim-up bar. 15 Plenty of room to sunbath around the hotel's gorgeous pools 15 The pool bar areas show off the hotel's luxury aesthetic Credit: OZGUR SECMEN 15 Luxurious beach-side cabanas and sunbeds galore at Lara Barut Lara Barut Collection has its own huge section of beach, with the Majo Beach Club serving drinks from morning to late into the night, plus, there are stunning private pavilions to enjoy. When done relaxing, there's plenty of great dining options. The main buffet restaurant Zestful Bazaar offers a vast selection of Turkish and international dishes, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Breakfast has all the usual options, with cereals, omelettes, meats and cheeses, fresh orange juice and refreshing Turkish tea and coffee, not to mention a cheeky Bucks Fizz for a boozy brunch if you fancy it. 15 Breakfast, lunch and dinner with a view at Zestful Bazaar 15 Scott enjoying the huge mezze won't be short of food options at Lara Barut Credit: SUPPLIED 15 Turunc A la Carte was worth a visit But for me the standouts were the freshly baked donuts and local breads. Absolutely delicious. For lunch and dinner, the quality remains top notch, with various themes on offer. Seafood night was sensational with fresh octopus, calamari, prawns, mussels and clams served both hot and chilled. For the a la carte restaurants, Turunc is available morning till night, with Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and, of course, Turkish options also available. For the other restaurants, you book via the hotel app up to three days in advance and this is a pretty seamless experience. GO: TURKEY GO; LARA BARUT COLLECTION GETTING THERE: Jet2, easyJet, Corendon, SunExpress and TUI fly daily to Antalya from Glasgow, while Jet2, easyJet and Corendon also fly there from Edinburgh. Fares from £43pp. STAYING THERE: Rooms at Lara Barut Collection start from approx £480 per night for two adults in June. See MORE INFO: For more see Akdeniz is the fine dining jewel in the crown of Lara Barut Collection offering a gourmet experience. Sit back and go with the experts' recommendation as they deliver shrimp, seabass sashimi, risotto, lamb with sumac, chateaubriand and salmon wellington. A sensational experience. Meanwhile, Tirmis specialises in local dishes and is superb. A huge variety of Antalyan dips and dishes are presented with regional breads as a starter. The stuffed zucchini flowers were a particular highlight. Moreish grouper with almonds and Yoruk-style roasted beef was followed by a standout local desert of warm flour halva with burned ice cream. 15 Inside Sandal restaurant, one of the 12 on site - with six bars also scattered throughout Credit: OZGUR SECMEN 15 Delights on offer at Iro Sushi Bar Sandal Restaurant specialises in seafood, with another vast choice of dishes to start, including tarama carp roe caviar. We went nuts and also ordered fried calamari and octopus, while our enthusiastic waiter Ahmet sent over a spectacular prawn cocktail, too. My swordfish main was excellent, as was Gemma's miso salmon. Ahmet had advised us to try the beef tenderloin and jumbo shrimp, so he ordered one for us anyway! Kumda Kirpi BBQ offers a brilliant fun dining experience where you select your own ingredients and prepare your meal at your table and we devoured steak, chicken, prawns and sweetcorn. Other eateries include Pizzeria Di Laura for traditional Italian cuisine, Iro Sushi Bar and Kuya — a Turkish restaurant, with delicious kibbeh, lahmacun and hummus among our starters. And if you're looking for a snack in between all that, Hungry Gorilla Grab n Go serves up burgers, pizzas and delicious homemade lemonade, while Hanimeli Patisserie has scrumptious cakes, ice cream and gourmet coffee. Night time sees the animation team put on a kids' disco and entertainment and a variety of shows in the outdoor amphitheatre, while there is also live music at the poolside bar. Keep an eye out for Hasan, who serves a mean Baby Guinness with an accent so English you'd swear he must be from this side of the Bosphorus. In fact he's never left Turkey and learned the lingo from YouTube! Whatever language you speak, it all adds up to a perfect holiday destination. So what are you waiting for? Get your skates on.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
The charming capital city named Europe's most affordable summer destination
If you think you need to drain your bank account to experience top-notch Euro holidays, think again. There are dozens of underrated destinations to visit across the continent that are just as rich in culture as they are affordable in cost. Helping travellers stay within their budget, credit card provider Aqua has looked into the average costs of return travel, week-long hotel stays, food and drink, and local transport across European destinations and created a list of the most affordable for the summer. Coming in hot, Budapest claimed the title of the cheapest capital city to visit for UK travellers. Imagine flights that average at £83 per person to the Hungarian capital, as well as week-long hotel stays for around £536 for two, meals at £8.28, and pints priced at an average of £2.07. Commute is just as cheap with local transport tickets costing just under £1. With all that money saved, you'll feel like royalty, especially while strolling along the Danube, with sights of Buda Castle and Parliament Building just within your reach. With all that extra dough in your pocket, there's no excuse not to indulge in the city's famous thermal spas. And trust us, there are plenty. Stop by Rudas, a 500-year-old thermal spa just along the river, and sink into their swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, cold plunges and then some. It won't cost much more to throw in a massage, or dine on the terrace al fresco, letting time drift by like the many boats on the Danube. And if you need another excuse to book a trip, we're opening a brand-new Time Out Market in Budapest this year – here's a taster of the dishes you can expect. These are Europe's most affordable summer destinations Budapest, Hungary Prague, Czech Republic Costa del Sol, Spain Porto, Portugal Lanzarote, Spain Lake District, UK Madrid, Spain Blackpool, UK Tenerife, Spain Forest of Dean, UK
