A PETITION calling on Scottish Government ministers to step in to help a historic Highland ferry service has been signed more than 15,000 times.
Petitioners’ concerns are for the future of the Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry, a service connecting Skye to the Scottish mainland which is reputed to be the last manually operated turntable ferry in existence.
For the last two decades, the ferry service has been run by the community. It won Social Enterprise of the Year both in Scotland and UK-wide in 2023, and employs 22 people either part- or full-time.
A London-based landowner is putting the iconic Glenelg to Skye ferry at risk. Support the local community & save the unique Glenelg ferry by signing the petition today: https://t.co/eDqQebJSOg via @38degrees pic.twitter.com/j38NKjoJAf
— Lesley Riddoch (@LesleyRiddoch) August 23, 2026
An agreement between Oliphant of that Ilk and the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company (CIC) – signed in order for the CIC to be able to take over the route from its former operator – means that the landowner is paid a percentage of the service’s annual earnings each year.
A secondary clause says that Oliphant of that Ilk can never be paid less than in a previous year, raising concerns about the impact of the fees on the CIC after a bumper 2025 followed by a 2026 season hit by bad weather.
The case has sparked widespread concern, and a petition calling for the Scottish Government to step in and reform laws around the “rights to ferry” is gathering pace. At the time of writing, it had more than 15,500 signatures .
The petition states: “This ten-minute crossing is famous around the world – and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere. It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but it's under threat thanks to a wealthy landowner – Edinburgh-based retired corporate financier Richard Oliphant of that Ilk – forcing the community to follow archaic land laws.”
“It's an absolutely ridiculous situation, that is putting this amazing community asset at risk,” it goes on.
“As a Skye resident that first used this ferry crossing back in 1958, I'm appalled that these historic laws are putting it at risk.
“I'm calling for Scottish politicians to step in and change the rules to support this incredible ferry.”
Broadcaster and National columnist Lesley Riddoch urged people to support the petition, saying: “Support the local community and save the unique Glenelg ferry by signing the petition today.”
Last week, the ferry’s skipper, Scott Cameron said the CIC needed a “change in this ludicrous old law”.
Andy Wightman, the author, land reform campaigner, and former MSP, wrote in a blog post about the case that Oliphant of that Ilk was “holding the company to ransom”.
“Despite him doing nothing to support the business and having invested nothing in it, he secures an annual income in excess of £15,000 and rising in perpetuity for as long as the ferry continues to operate,” Wightman wrote.
“Suffice to say, a strategy is required to ensure that Oliphant cannot continue to profit from the monopoly control of ferry rights and threaten the future of the Skye Ferry.
“The historic and ancient rights that Oliphant is controlling may not in fact prove to be everything they appear to be. Hold on for a potentially rocky and bumpy ride testing the limits of the Crown right to ferry.”
Oliphant of that Ilk has been approached for comment, but has failed to respond to repeated previous requests.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers recognise the historical significance of the Glenelg ferry service, and the value that community operations provide to people and places in every part of Scotland.
“Should a petition be brought forward to Parliament, Ministerial consideration will be given through established processes.”
