She started the Sound of Harris service in 1996, but it soon became apparent that she was too small and a new vessel was required for the increasingly popular route.

[3] Shallow water in the Sound of Harris led to the adoption of a water-jet propulsion system, rather than the Voith Schneider units of the earlier Loch Class ferries.

The crossing took an hour, initially connecting Leverburgh with a slipway at Otternish on North Uist, the departure point for the previously council-operated ferries to Berneray.

[5] Numerous reefs litter the Sound of Harris and a specific route was marked out to ensure the ferry's safe passage.

She returned to Largs in May, operating alongside MV Loch Tarbert after a breakdown removed Isle of Cumbrae from service.

In June 2024, Loch Bhrusda was moved to Lochranza to cover MV Catriona, owing to damage to the latter vessel's ramps.

Loch Bhrusda returned to the Mallaig - Armadale crossing, operating alongside MV Coruisk.