Landowner payments put pressure on historic Glenelg-Skye ferry

20 AUGUST 2026

Get in touch if you’ve got a story you’d like us to look into. Send a WhatsApp or send an email.

Landowner payments put pressure on historic Glenelg-Skye ferry

The ferry link between Glenelg and Kylerhea is facing financial uncertainty over an ancient legal agreement, its operators have claimed.

The service is run by a community interest company (CIC). The group is warning that an obscure entitlement held by the landowner on the Skye side is creating pressure.

Former financier Richard Oliphant of that Ilk owns the land. He holds a “rights to ferry” legal entitlement over the Kylerhea Narrows, which is said to date back centuries. Under the current lease, he is paid a percentage of the ferry’s annual turnover.

The CIC claims he received almost £10,000 last year as part of the agreement.

Jo Crawford is CEO of the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company. Speaking to Radio Skye, she said:

“We are in a situation which we believe is unfair and unsustainable.

“Last year we had a bumper year for the ferry company. He [Richard Oliphant] takes 5% of our overall turnover. Last year, that was close to £10,000.

“We’ve had a less lucrative year so far this year. Weather has played a part in that. Our costs are up. Including fuel, engine oil, and all those kind of things.”

“So, we’re looking to make less money, it would appear, compared to the same period last year. But he will still claim what he was able to claim last year. And for nothing. That’s the galling thing. It really is for nothing.

“The ferry company alone is solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the slipway at Kylerhea. He doesn’t have to put his hand in his pocket for that. We do.”

Ancient rights

The CIC signed a similar agreement with the Burton Property Trust, the landowner on the Glenelg side. However, that trust never charged the community and has since transferred its rights into community ownership.

The operators claim that Mr Oliphant has charged them since the community takeover almost 20 years ago, including during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns when the ferry could not run.

They also state the lease includes a “ratchet clause,” meaning the annual payment can never drop below the amount paid the previous year, regardless of bad weather or falling passenger numbers.

Jo Crawford said:

“£10,000 for us is an enormous amount of money. That’s somebody’s job. It’s possible employment or training opportunities for people within the community.”

Who is Richard Oliphant? 

Richard Eric Laurence Oliphant of that Ilk is the 34th Clan Chief of the Oliphants.

Until 2003, the clan had been without a Clan Chief. Richard made the claim at the court of Lord Lyon, ending more than 150 years without someone at the head of the Oliphant clan.

A former City financier, he was born and brought up in Hong Kong. He was later educated in England and visited Skye as a child.

Community impact

The ferry company is a major local employer, supporting 22 jobs.

Operators claim the landlord has also blocked minor community developments on the Skye side, including plans to use an old phone box to sell merchandise.

The service has been run by the community since 2007. The CIC was set up after long-time ferryman Roddy MacLeod retired.

Radio Skye has contacted the Clan Oliphant Society seeking a response from Richard Oliphant of that Ilk.