Aberdeen concluded a successful season yesterday when the Clipper Odyssey left bound for Dublin on a 10-night expedition that will include stops in Orkney and Belfast.

Combined, 10 cruise vessels brought 1,667 visitors to Aberdeen and the North East, linking the region to destinations including the Northern Isles, Outer Hebrides and Norway.

Among the vessels on show during the summer season were the Arion, Fram and the Plancius, a former Dutch Navy oceanographic research vessel now used for Antarctic expeditions.

The end of the season comes just weeks after Aberdeen Harbour announced a £5.2 million investment to make significant improvements at the port’s entrance, widening and deepening the navigation channel.

Although primarily a freight and ferry port, Aberdeen Harbour works with the 14 other Scottish ports that make up Cruise Scotland, a partnership focused on promoting the country as an attractive cruise ship destination for overseas travellers.

Photo: Chief executive of the Aberdeen Harbour Board, Colin Parker and the Rembrant van Rijn.