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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.

The MV Glenachulish is thought to be the last turntable operated ferry in the world

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.

The Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry has returned to service for the season.

The MV Glenachullish has had major work done over the winter with a full refit of the engine carried out at Kishorn.

“There’s a great deal of excitement when the ferry comes back because it changes the place.” – Jo Crawford, CEO of the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company

The vessel was built in 1969 and is the world’s last manually operated turntable ferry. At 18 metres, she can take up to six cars for the crossing between Skye and the mainland.

Speaking to Radio Skye on the first day of the season, Skipper Donnie MacDonald said it’s good to be back:

“We’re a bit rusty but we’re getting there.

“The boat has had a complete refit of the engine and all the damage has been repaired as well.

“I’ve been doing this nearly 25 years. I started off doing the ropes when I was in school on my holidays.”

The weather for the first crossing was particularly dreich. But that didn’t dampen the spirits. Donnie’s trusty collie Spot was on hand to help out too.

Skipper Donnie MacDonald

Jo Crawford is CEO of the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company. She said:

“It’s the biggest overhaul in 20 years of community ownership. We’ve had a major engine overhaul which requires stripping down the original Kelvin T6 engine and replacing everything and getting it all sorted out and then rebuilding it. We’ve also done lots of welding and taken out big patches of the hull that were thinning over the years and replacing them with new bits. It’s been really tough and very expensive.”

Trust crew member Spot

Despite the cost of the repairs, Jo said it has all been worth it:

“It’s all part of the preservation of this historic ferry. It’s an old boat and it’s going to need a lot of TLC. Some years more than others!

“Glenelg is a one road in, one road out community so without the onward journey that the ferry provides, we would have far fewer visitors and that in turn supports our local businesses like the community owned shop, the hotel, other accommodation providers, and the brewery. These things all thrive because of the amount of people that come and that’s down to the ferry service.

“For local people, there’s a great deal of excitement when the ferry comes back because it changes the place. It makes it more vibrant. It means you can get to the supermarket and it’s only a 10 mile journey as opposed to a 50 mile round-trip so it makes life just a little bit more vibrant and a little bit easier for local people.”

The crew at work

Piper Roddy Shanks did the honours as the boat came alongside at Glenelg for the first time this year. The Skye Boat Song rang out across the Strait.

Piper Roddy Shanks

Donald Shanks is Chair of the Board of Directors for the organisation. He said:

"It's good to see the boat back in the water. The lads have worked very hard.

"It's the only way to travel to Skye!"

Listen to Jamie McDonald's report on the first day of sailing below.