Megayacht at Fairlie once hosted Mick Jagger and Joss Stone

The Octopus has been stunning locals over the past few days, following a recent visit to the waters off Ayr.

Over the years, the secrets of the amazing vessel have unravelled, including the fact that it has a recording studio on board.

'Superheavy' was a hush hush collaboration between Rolling Stone star Jagger, ex-Eurythmics musician Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Damian Marley (son of Reggae legend Bob Marley) and Indian-born Oscar-winning soundtrack writer AH Rahman.

The majority of the album was recorded at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles, with parts recorded off the coasts of Greece and Turkey on the Octopus, in secret.

Screenshot from Superheavy video 'Miracle Worker' (Image: youtube)

Octopus is a 126-metre vessel which was built for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

She is one of the world's largest yachts and boasts eight decks, and can host up to 26 guests accommodated in 13 staterooms and is crewed by a complement of 63 spread across 30 cabins.

It also boasts a fully equipped medical centre, and a storm cabin to keep those who needed it comfortable in bad weather.

Launched at a cost of $200 million, Octopus is a private vessel that has been loaned out for exploration projects, scientific research and rescue missions.

In 1998, strict non-disclosure agreements were signed to maintain the privacy of her original owner, the late American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft. 

Entertainment facilities include several bars, a spa, library, cinema, gym, basketball court and multiple lounges including a forward-facing observation area.

It has two helicopter pads on the main deck: a twin pad and hangars at the stern.

The yacht also has a pool, located aft on one of its upper decks, and two submarines (one of them operated by remote control and capable of attaining greater depths).

The latter was loaned to Google Earth for the "Explore the Ocean" project.

A two-level 36-metre-long floodable garage opening is built at the stern in order to accommodate the submarines and to help assist with the other innovative aspects of the vessel.

There is one very long and tall compartment on the yacht’s centreline with a floodable dock flanked by rows of smaller garages to store the various assets in what became known as Project Octopus.

From December 2018 to July 2019, the yacht underwent a refit at Blohm+Voss and was advertised for sale in September 2019 with an asking price of €295 million.

The asking price was subsequently reduced to €235 million and the yacht was sold to an anonymous buyer in 2021.