In the coming days, the port of Vigo will see the departure of a cruise ship, the “Lord of the Highlands,” a vessel remarkable for many reasons. Not so much for its dimensions—a mere 45 meters in length—nor for its luxurious design and finish, but for the intricate circumstances surrounding the conversion of a passenger ferry between two Mediterranean ports into a floating luxury hotel that will sail the lochs, islands, and canals of Scotland. A true nautical metamorphosis that has tested not only the expertise of OLIVER DESIGN, but also their ability to manage the unforeseen challenges arising from an unprecedented situation like the coronavirus pandemic.
After 16 months of work dedicated to the complete refurbishment of the ship, the Spanish company found itself facing an unexpected predicament last March: the British shipowner who had commissioned the work refused to take possession of the vessel due to the bleak outlook for nautical tourism amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Specializing in naval design and architecture, the firm, based in Getxo (Vizcaya), was forced to accept ownership of the ship as payment for its services and begin the process of finding a buyer among tour operators worldwide. This occurred at a time when all types of tourist cruises had been suspended due to the health crisis.
After negotiations with Spanish, Greek, American, and Australian shipowners, OLIVER DESIGN finally closed the sale of the “Lord of the Highlands” to an operator who intends to use the ship for the same purpose for which it was refurbished: short cruises around the lochs of the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands. The cruise ship is now about to depart for its final destination from Vigo, the port where its conversion took place.
The ship's new owner is Hebridean Island Cruises Ltd, a company based in Skipton (Yorkshire, in the North of England) specializing in luxury cruises. Its main asset
to date has been the "Hebridean Princess," another mid-sized vessel dedicated to exploring the islands off the west coast of Scotland. Last August, Hebridean announced the acquisition of the "Lord of the Glens," a ship very similar to the "Lord of the Highlands," owned by Magna Carta Steamship Co Limited, the same company that commissioned the latter.
From Türkiye to Scotland, via Vigo
The unique journey of the “Lord of the Highlands” began in 2012, when the Turkish shipyard Medyilmaz completed the construction of a small, 400-passenger ferry, the “Necdet Ali Yildirim,” to cover a short, eight-mile route between the Turkish port of Cesme and the Greek island of Chios. This vessel, intended for a brief crossing, was austere and devoid of any luxury. However, it has undergone a radical transformation at the hands of OLIVER DESIGN. This transformation follows a similar project carried out 20 years ago by the Spanish firm for the same shipowner, the British company Magna Carta Steamship Co Limited, based in London.
In that case, the project also involved the complete remodeling of a ferry operating in the Aegean Sea, transforming it into a small cruise ship, the “Lord of the Glens,” intended for tourism in Scotland. Its dimensions are very similar to the “Lord of the Highlands”: 46 meters long by 10 meters wide, with four decks and a capacity for 54 passengers and 20 crew members. In addition to this initial, radical conversion, OLIVER DESIGN more recently undertook its refurbishment and modernization in 2015.
The originality of the concept and the limited number of berths made the "Lord of the Glens" a highly successful cruise, with waiting lists requiring reservations to be made up to two years in advance of the sailing date. This prompted the tour operator to double its capacity with the "Lord of the Highlands.".
The conversion project—designed, managed, and supervised by OLIVER DESIGN on a turnkey basis—represented a unique undertaking in the naval sector, particularly in the passenger vessel segment. It also presented a dual challenge: firstly, its technical complexity, which involved, among other things, resizing the hull; and secondly, the meticulous interior finish required for a top-tier recreational vessel. This is comparable to what, in the automotive sector, would entail converting a city bus into the most sophisticated and luxurious motorhome.
The new cruise ship will be completing its two longest and most challenging voyages on its journey between its first destination and its next. The "Necdet Ali Yildirim," after seven years of service connecting two Aegean islands separated by a mere eight miles, had to complete a 2,500-nautical-mile crossing to reach Vigo for its refurbishment. And the now-renamed "Lord of the Highlands" will undertake a journey of approximately 1,300 miles to its new home port in Inverness, from where it will complete voyages of no more than 200 nautical miles on its various routes.
A larger hull, an additional deck, and new interior spaces
The new “Lord of the Highlands” has been modified to increase its length by three meters and its beam by one meter compared to its predecessor. Additional ballast has been added to the keel to enhance stability, especially given the addition of an extra deck. The propulsion systems have been completely overhauled, including two new 250 kW main generators, automated electrical panels, and new navigation, rescue, and lifesaving equipment. The vessel is also equipped with a wastewater treatment plant and a bilge water separator to prevent oil spills. Automatic sliding doors have been installed in the watertight compartments of the hull.
Furthermore, it was necessary to adapt the vessel—originally registered under the Turkish flag—to the most stringent naval regulations in force in Europe. The interior spaces underwent a complete redesign: from the two original spacious halls, almost entirely occupied by seating for 700 passengers, to 22 splendid cabins, a large lounge and bar, and a restaurant. In addition, there were spaces to accommodate the crew, kitchen, and storage facilities, along with an adapted bridge to the ship's new specifications. Its new configuration is that of a vessel 45 meters long, 10 meters wide, and with a gross tonnage of 737.
The interior décor and amenities are another distinguishing feature of the new “Lord of the Highlands,” with cabins designed in the traditional style of luxury trains: fine wood paneling, high-quality upholstery, and classic lines, along with a carefully curated selection of furniture, lighting, and accessories.
All cabins have a private en-suite bathroom and are equipped with individual air conditioning—adapted to the harsh Scottish climate—and thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as telephone and satellite television.
The high-quality passenger accommodation requirements were a major challenge in the design and outfitting of the new “Lord of the Highlands,” ensuring that comfort standards were compatible with the stringent maritime safety regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The use of sandwich panels with rock wool insulation to partition the different spaces allowed the ship to meet fire-resistant material requirements.
