A RECORD number of cruise liners are due to dock in Edinburgh this year boosting the Capital's economy by up to £10 million.
Around 800 passengers enjoyed a stop-over in the city last night, as two giant cruisers berthed at Western Harbour in Leith.
Tourism chiefs - who expect more than 32,000 passengers to visit throughout the year - today said Edinburgh has gained a
worldwide reputation as a cruising destination.
Leith docks operator Forth Ports is hoping to build a revamped multi-million-pound cruise liner terminal, which would attract 150 ships a year to the Capital.
This year, 50 liners are due to dock in the port - up from an annual average of around 30.
Yesterday, the cruisers on their way to the Scottish Highlands and Germany were joined by a Royal Navy flag ship in the city for the military Tattoo.
Morag McNeill, group company secretary for Forth Ports, said: "Having all three vessels in Western Harbour is an amazing sight.
"The number of cruise liner visits underlines Edinburgh's growing reputation as a 'must-see' destination for visitors and also demonstrates the city's value as a gateway to Scotland.
"The economic benefits from cruise liners are significant and it is vital that Scotland continues to invest in this area."
Passengers of the 17,000-tonne Silver Wind, journeying from London to Invergordon, and the 22,000-tonne Delphin Voyager, going from Ullapool to Kiel in Germany, were exploring the city yesterday. The ships also carried around 600 crew members.
The 16,000-tonne troop ship Mounts Bay is berthed at Ocean Terminal, and is captained by Commanding Officer Richard Taylor, from West Calder.
Mounts Bay is acting as a base for Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt and a venue for Navy training and events throughout its stay.
Towering above the Royal Yacht Britannia, the ship can transport up to 400 troops and vehicles, is capable of landing helicopters, and has seen service in the Baltic and Sierra Leone.
A VisitScotland spokeswoman said today: "The cruise market is worth over £20m to the Scottish economy and is an increasingly important market for Edinburgh with the city becoming known overseas as a quality cruising destination.
"We encourage continued investment in this market to help us achieve our joint industry ambition to grow tourism revenues by 50 per cent by 2015 and make Scotland a must visit, must return destination for cruise passengers."
Councillor Tom Buchanan, head of economic development, added: "It's great to see so many cruise liners wanting to bring their passengers to the city.
"This will greatly benefit Edinburgh's economy. We have a stunning city, with plenty to offer these visitors and I would hope their experiences in Edinburgh will inspire them to return."
Harbour chiefs are pressing ahead with plans for a world-class facility at the docks after research found it could generate up to £40m a year for the Capital's economy.
Currently, no vessels larger than 50,000 tonnes can berth in Leith. The Queen Mary 2, the world's biggest luxury liner, has been forced to drop anchor in the middle of the Firth of Forth as a result.
The new jetty outside the lock-gates, and associated facilities, will cost between £20m and £50m and will almost certainly need to be backed by finance from the Scottish Executive.
The full article contains 565 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
