Mark Nicolson

Ferry and shipping enthusiast, photographer and author from the island of Lewis.

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Isle of Islay on berthing trials at Stornoway yesterday, 21/03/2026, bow in first followed by stern in.
@CalMacFerries @CalMac_Updates @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @transcotland @BBCScotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

The new MV Isle of Islay at Tarbert, Harris for the very first time today, 20 March 2026, as part of her extensive berthing trials tour of the network.
@CalMacFerries @CalMac_Updates @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @transcotland @BBCScotland @STVNews

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Isle of Mull makes her first visit to Stornoway since 14/05/1998 today, 22/12/2025, looking great after her overhaul. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all staff at @CalMacFerries! 😄🎅🎄

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @CalMac_Updates @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

Some of the other ferries I saw on my travels through Uist, Barra and Oban last week; Clansman, Isle of Mull, Loch Alainn and Loch Portain. 27 to 29/08/2025. @CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @VisitScotland @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

My birthday cruise on MV Isle of Lewis from Castlebay to Oban and back on 28/08/2025, a bit bumpy in each direction, but still absolutely enjoyable! Captain and crew were all first class!
@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @BarraIsland @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Isle of Lewis arriving in Castlebay, Barra from Oban on 27/08/2025.
@CalMacFerries @CalMac_Updates @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @VisitScotland @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Glen Sannox at Stornoway and Tarbert as part of her recent berthing trial programme, 04/01/2025. I wish her well in her entry into service next week at Arran, and look forward sailing on her for the first time this year.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @weloveSY @styEVENTSmag @StornowayPort

Happy New Year 2025! 🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76

Season's greetings to all. 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Hebridean Isles' very last departure from Stornoway.
Her career is over now after 39 years of service, as she will be scrapped during the next few weeks.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @BBCScotlandNews @bbcalba @STVNews @StornowayPort

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

The final departure from Stornoway by MV Hebridean Isles, and from any @CalMacFerries port after 39 years of proud active service. Finished with engines now. Goodbye. 🥹🥹🥹🥹

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @transcotland @StornowayPort

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

@CalMacFerries Of course you may! 😄
Thank you for asking. 😊

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Hebrides arriving in Tarbert, Harris on this beautiful morning, 20/05/2024. Sailing to Uig on her, and the first of two ferries forming my drive to Oban for six nights! 🥳🥳🥳

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

Photographs of MV Loch Seaforth in and out of Stornoway on different days last week, 1 and 3 May 2024.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

40 years in service today by MV Isle of Arran, which commenced operations for @CalMacFerries on 13/04/1984 and STILL going strong!
Lang may her lums keep reeking!

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

The Ambition cruise ship at Stornoway's new deep water port this morning, 01/04/2024. A historic moment as she's the first ship ever to use the new facility, which is still under construction around her.

@StornowayPort @CalMacFerries

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

Happy 10th birthday to MV Loch Seaforth, launched at the Flensburg shipyard, Germany on 21/03/2014. She remains a most impressive ship and vehicle carrier.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @Robbie_Calmac @StornowayPort @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Isle of Lewis at Tarbert, Harris, 19/03/2024, carrying out berthing trials at Uig, Tarbert & Lochmaddy today, to assess if she can be used as the emergency relief vessel on the Triangle.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @Robbie_Calmac @transcotland

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

A very happy 35th birthday to MV Lord of the Isles, aka LOTI, launched on this day, 07/03/1989, at Ferguson's of Port Glasgow, and still in service 35 years on.

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @Robbie_Calmac

[Mark Nicolson @CalMark94]

MV Clansman round trip today, Tarbert to Uig and back, via Lochmaddy in each direction. Cracking weather for it so far!

@CalMacFerries @CMAssets @minchpilot @jagraas @richbeats76 @Robbie_Calmac