A CAMPAIGN to save a historic Highland ferry after its future was left in the balance as the vessels community owners are locked in a financial battle with an “absentee landowner” has hit a major milestone.
MV Glenachulish’s future has been cast into doubt after The National revealed in August that it is obliged to pay a percentage of its annual turnover to the landowner on the Skye side due to archaic “rights to ferry”.
The ferry service, which is said to be the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world, serves the route between Glenelg on the mainland and Kylerhea on Skye.
The service covers the former drovers’ route, which has been in use for at least 400 years, and is now run by the community using the MV Glenachulish.
However, the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company (CIC) chief executive, Jo Crawford, has warned that an obscure historic entitlement held by the landowner on the Skye side, former financier Richard Oliphant of that Ilk, has created a situation which “cannot be sustained” and may threaten the ferry’s future.
Oliphant of that Ilk, who holds “rights to ferry” over the Kylerhea Narrows is paid a percentage of the Isle of Skye Ferry CIC’s annual turnover due to the little-known legal entitlement said to date back to the Lord of the Isles.
Crawford previously told The National that while paying Oliphant of that Ilk had “cost a fortune over the years … the lease also states – this is the awful bit – that he can never be paid less than a previous year”.
Now, more than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Scottish Government to step in and change the law and help save the lifeline ferry service.
“This 10-minute crossing is famous around the world - and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere, the petition states.
“It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but the ferry's operator says its future may be under threat.”
It adds: “Under 'right to ferry' rules, the Glenelg to Skye ferry and tearoom - who employ a number of the local population - entered into a commercial lease with a landowner in order to operate.
“It means they have to pay a portion of their annual income every year, but the ferry operators say that a clause in the lease that means they can not pay less than they did the previous year - no matter how much they've actually made - puts the ferry at risk.”
The petition, launched by Jerry B, concludes: “As a Skye resident that first used this ferry crossing back in 1958 I'd be devastated if this ferry ever had to stop operating.
“So I'm calling for Scottish politicians to step in and change the rules to support this incredible ferry and community.”
The CIC said that it had enjoyed a bumper 2025, and paid landowner Oliphant of that Ilk around £10,000.
However, a clause in the deal means he can never be paid less than a previous year, which sparked fears after poor weather hit 2026’s takings.
Earlier this month, the CIC confirmed the ferry had broken down, with fears that it will be out of service for the rest of the tourist season, raising fresh fears for their ability to pay Oliphant of that Ilk.
“This could be the end of our season, which would be dreadful,” Crawford said.
“We don’t know how long the ferry will take to fix. We are hoping that the damage isn’t severe, but we don’t know yet. Until we have it properly assessed we can’t tell how long it will be out of service.
“But it’s costing us income every day the ferry isn’t running. And the fix itself could cost us significantly depending on how serious it is.
“We’d normally look to make about £70,000 in the last six weeks and if we don’t get that it will be very difficult. We have about 22 staff between the ferry and the café and we can’t afford to lose any income.”
Josh Doble, the director of policy and advocacy at Community Land Scotland – the representative organisation for community landowners – said: “The Glenelg ferry saga showcases the best and worst of contemporary Scottish landownership.
“On the one hand a pioneering and ambitious community who are pursuing the economic development of their local area whilst delivering a vital local service.
“On the other hand, an absentee laird who is seemingly trying to extract as much financial gain as possible from his landholding, behaviour which Scotland's rural communities have endured for centuries.
“It’s time for the Government and public bodies to do everything in their power to find a good outcome for this community enterprise.”
