Glenelg-Skye Ferry

There are two ways to get to Skye (with your vehicle): via the Skye Bridge or via ferry. There are two ferries. We took the smaller one. MV Glenachulish was built in 1969 and is oldest manually operated steel turntable ferry in the world. It has a capacity of six cars (and 12 passengers) and operates seasonally between Glenelg (on the mainland) to Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye. The crossing takes approximately 5 minutes and saves 36 miles of driving. 

Shortest gap between the mainland and Isle of Skye.

Oldest turntable ferry in the world

Ferry operators

Leaving

Control center

Ferry ramp in Glenelg

The Glenelg-Skye Ferry is over 60 years old and is registered with National Historic Ships UK. According to its web site, archaic land law forces the ferry to pay 5% of its earnings to its wealthy absentee owner. The community is currently petitioning the Scottish government to intervene on behalf of the iconic ferry.

Ready to disembark

Thanks for the lift

We were treated to a "seal show" during the crossing. The little guys bobbed in and out of the water.  

Playful seals

Dog helper

The ferry is based in Glenelg on the west coast of Scotland. Glenelg is also a location on Mars near the Mars Science Laboratory landing site. On October 20, 2012, Glenelg (Scotland) was officially twinned with Glenelg (Mars). Glenelg is also the name of a rival high school in Howard County. Glenelg, Maryland was named after Glenelg, Scotland. The name is a palindrome, meaning it is spelled the same forwards as backwards. 

Home of the iconic ferry

Grazing near the ferry

Misty mountain