Hebridean Island Cruises started trading in 1988. A Yorkshire family who formerly operated canal boats founded the Company.

Fanatical motor-sailors who spent much of their own free time touring the Western Isles, they were storm-bound one day in Loch Scresort on the Isle of Rum, when they had the idea of offering exclusive 'yacht-style' cruises around the inaccessible and wildly beautiful area.

MV Columba, the former Oban-Mull ferry, was acquired, which was then totally refitted in the shipyard of George Prior Engineering in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Originally carrying 46 passengers and a crew of 27, the ship, now re-named Hebridean Princess, commenced trading on 26th May 1989.

Initially, the vessel retained a car-carrying capability and the cruises were marketed with the option of joining and leaving at ports of call other than Oban. Within two years the concept had been refined and the car-carrying capacity was removed and additional cabins constructed to allow a dramatic increase in the crew-to-guest ratio. By 1997, a crew of 37 was serving just 49 passengers in considerable luxury.

In 1998 a small BES-based company, Hebridean Cruises, PLC. acquired the business. 'Don't change anything' was the common cry from nearly all past guests of Hebridean Princess. The new owners came to the same conclusion and took great pains to integrate themselves sensitively into the organisation. Whilst respectful of the concern for change, the company also looked to the future.

The result was the acquisition of the 4200-ton Megastar Capricorn from Star Cruises of Malaysia in March 2001 for £11.2 million. An EIS share issue funded the purchase of the ship in what was believed to be the first of its kind for a UK cruise company. Originally scheduled to raise a maximum of £5 million, the share issue was substantially over-subscribed - in the main by past clients of Hebridean Island Cruises .

The ship, renamed Hebridean Spirit, underwent a £4.5 million refit again at George Prior's yard. The interior was entirely redesigned to accommodate around 80 guests in a style that recalled the golden age of cruising - while maintaining the same high standards as those of her sister ship, Hebridean Princess.

Typically, the ship has been equipped in a discreet but sumptuous style with many unusual touches, including a three-ton Bath stone Inglenook fireplace and individually designed and decorated cabins.

Following her christening by HRH The Princess Royal on 3rd July 2001, Hebridean Spirit embarked on her maiden voyage, with international tour programmes intended to follow the warmth of the sun.