A LUXURY cruise ship that underwent an incredible transformation has stopped off in Greenock en route to the Highlands.

The 'Lord of the Highlands's extraordinary journey began in the Turkish port of Medylimaz, where it was launched in 2012 as a 400-seater passenger ferry.

It operated between the Turkish port of Çesme and the Greek island of Chios, ferrying passengers across an eight-mile stretch of the Icarian Sea.

After seven years of service, the ship came into the possession of naval architecture company, Oliver Design, in 2020 after they were obliged to take ownership of it as payment for their services.

Oliver Design decided to remodel the vessel and sell it on as a cruise ship. The ship sailed 2,500 nautical miles to Vigo, Spain, where it was transformed into a floating hotel for touring Scotland's lochs and canals.

After protracted negotiations, the ship was eventually sold to a Skipton-based luxury cruise company, Hebridean Island Cruises Ltd, where it joins another cruise ship converted by Oliver Design, the 'Lord of the Glens'.

The ship stopped here after a lengthy voyage from Vigo on its way to Inverness, where it will begin its new life exploring the coast around the Highlands.