Route Mallaig to Small Isles Length 31 m Draft 1.7 m | Yard number 554 Launched 11 June 1979 | |
 | ||
Name 1979–2001 Lochmor
2001–2002 Lochawe
2002–2009 Torbay Belle
2009–2014 Jurassic Scene
2014–2015 Gullfoss Namesake earlier Outer Isles mail steamer Owner 1979–2001 Caledonian MacBrayne
2001–2002 Landwest Shipping Corporation (Argyll)
2002–2009 Brixham Belle Cruises (Paignton)
since 2009 Blue Line Cruises (Poole) Port of registry Glasgow/Brixham
–2014 Poole, United Kingdom
2014 Akranes, Iceland Builder Ailsa Shipbuilding Company | ||
Calmac ferry mv lochmor later loch awe featured in the televisions series vital spark
MV Lochmor was a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne serving the Small Isles from 1979 until 2001. Since 2009 she has operated cruises from Poole as MV Jurassic Scene
Contents
Mv lochmor old footage
History
Ailsa Shipbuilders of Troon won a tender in 1978 for an 84-foot vessel to replace the converted minesweeper, MV Loch Arkaig which served the Small Isles for 15 years. Before building, the specification was increased to 102 ft.
Layout
MV Lochmor had a raised main deck that was open at the stern for cargo. When required, there was space for two cars. Cargo loading was aided by a starboard crane. Forward, there were two passenger saloons on the lower deck, with the bridge on an upper deck. A landing platform, above the bridge, was used at the extreme low water found at Mallaig.
The superstructure has subsequently been extended back to surround the funnel.
Service
MV Lochmor's predecessor, Loch Arkaig sank at her berth in Mallaig in March 1979. Her place was taken by MV Arran until MV Lochmor entered service on 18 July.
From Mallaig, MV Lochmor served the islands of Rùm, Eigg, Muck and Canna, as well as Armadale, Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh. She also gave cruises to Loch Duich, the Crowlin Islands and Portree. Of the Small Isles, only Canna had a pier that she could go alongside. On the other islands a ferry boat met the main ferry.
In 2001 MV Lochmor was replaced by MV Lochnevis. She was sold to Landwest Corp Ltd, Argyll and renamed MV Loch Awe. During this period of ownership by Landwest, the ship was maintained, certificated and crewed by Landwest Corporation's sister company Argyll Ferries Ltd.
From 2003 she operated as MV Torbay Belle for Brixham Belle Cruises of Paignton. In 2009 she was sold to Blue Line Cruises of Poole and renamed MV Jurassic Scene. She now operates cruises on the south coast of England, from Poole.