Stornoway Port is preparing for a 2026 cruise season comprising 89 scheduled calls, a programme that further consolidates its position within Scotland’s cruise sector. The season is projected to deliver approximately 60,000 passengers to the Outer Hebrides and to generate an estimated GBP 7.8 million for the local economy, reinforcing the role of cruise tourism in supporting island enterprises, hospitality services and visitor attractions.
Among the principal vessels listed for 2026 are MSC Preziosa, Carnival Legend and Queen Anne, the latter returning following her inaugural visit in 2025. The presence of these ships reflects continued confidence in the port’s infrastructure, notably the GBP 59 million Deep Water Terminal, which has materially increased Stornoway’s capacity to receive larger, contemporary cruise vessels.
MSC Preziosa, with accommodation for more than 4,300 passengers, and Carnival Legend are each expected to deliver substantial visitor volumes during their respective calls. The scheduled return of Queen Anne, the first new vessel introduced by Cunard Line in over a decade, is regarded locally as indicative of a sustained working relationship between the port authority and a long-established operator.
Kirsty Hutchison, Cruise and Marketing Manager at Stornoway Port, indicated that the forthcoming season represents a further stage in the port’s development, with 89 calls evidencing steady demand from international cruise lines. She noted that the inclusion of high-profile vessels underscores the port’s growing reputation and observed that the Deep Water Terminal has significantly broadened operational capability while improving the visitor interface.
She further advised that planning is advancing for the next phase of development at the terminal, alongside ongoing works to Arnish Road. The latter project, she stated, extends beyond cruise operations, providing essential access to the Arnish fabrication yard and supporting businesses within the Arnish Industrial Estate, thereby contributing to year-round economic resilience.
According to Hutchison, these capital investments are intended not solely to enhance port infrastructure but to secure sustained economic benefit for the Outer Hebrides, underpin employment and ensure that Stornoway retains a prominent role within Scotland’s expanding cruise offering.