New cruise ship set to arrive on Sunday

A brand new cruise ship is set to call into Kirkwall on Sunday, on her inaugural voyage around the UK.

The Spirit of Discovery, built for Saga Cruises, was recently christened in Dover, Kent, by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

After departing on her maiden voyage from Dover on Wednesday, Kirkwall will be the first and only alongside port of call in Scotland during her 13 day maiden voyage around Britain.

The ship will be greeted by a piper on arrival at Hatston Pier around 8am. Later, her crew will be presented with a specially commissioned plaque by Orkney Islands Council, marking the visit.

Orkney Islands Council’s head of marine services, engineering and transport, and harbour master, Brian Archibald, said: “We’re proud to have been selected as the first alongside port of call on such a prestigious voyage. We hope it will be the first of many happy visits to Orkney for the ship and we look forward to giving her crew and passengers an outstanding Orkney welcome on Sunday.”

• Keep an eye on The Orcadian Facebook page on Sunday for coverage, with a feature also due to be published in the Marine Scene section of the paper next week.