Former tug pulls in the crowds

THERE was much interest in a splendid vessel tied up at the north pier in Oban on Thursday evening.

The Lady of Avenel is a 30m (98ft) twin-masted Dutch yacht which is touring the western islands. She left Oban on Friday heading for Barra.

It was a return visit for the boat, having been in Oban twice before, the last time as recently as 2015. She is in the West Highlands for the summer season and will be around until the end of September.

Built in 1964 in Poland, she was originally a tug but was converted by cutting off all the superstructure above the waterline.