The modern route to Skye is via the magnificent road bridge, opened in October 1995; the romantic route, however, is still by sea - a five minute crossing on the last remaining turntable ferry in the country, from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea in Skye. The MV Glenachulish has operated on this short route for 30 years, and has been run successfully by the community owned Isle of Skye Ferry CIC since 2006.
Romance and commerce are blended in this unique community enterprise. The crossing from Glenelg is the original and shortest route to Skye; it is where Johnston and Boswell journeyed to the island and where for centuries cattle were swam across on their long trek to southern markets. However, in recent decades Glenelg has had to work hard to build up a viable economy and the threatened loss of 30,000 annual passenger trips on the MV Glenachulish helped galvanise a campaign to save the ferry.
In 2004 the then owner/skipper indicated he planned to retire in 2005. In the absence of a private buyer, and little agreement locally about the best way to save the ferry, a group of enthusiasts scrambled together £9,000 at the last minute to lease the boat for the 2006 summer season. The aim was to get a breathing space so they could raise the funds to buy it outright. It proved a stormy start: engineering problems, finding and training a new skipper and crew, not to mention the weather, all limited its operation. Despite everything though, takings were up on the previous year.
Those first few months were challenging but the knowledge gained allowed the group to put together a business case for buying the ferry. In February 2007, thanks to funds from the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets Fund, Skye & Wester Ross Enterprise (now HIE) and Highland Opportunity Community, the Isle of Skye Community Interest Company was launched.
Those involved in buying the boat were motivated by a number of factors. Glenelg is a peninsula and a trip to the shops or hospital over in Broadford is 10 miles using the ferry against a 30 mile journey via the Skye Bridge. Although it operates only from April to October, local people would miss the ferry as a mode of travel. Without a sea connection to Skye there was also a worry that tourists would find the area less attractive and income from holiday cottages, bed and breakfast's and other seasonal services would suffer. But underlying it all was a love of the boat itself. As Clive Pearson, CEO, says, "One of the reasons we do it is that we like the boat; there's an emotional attachment as well".
Through the tough early years, and with purely voluntary management, this commitment to the boat helped keep the whole enterprise afloat. In the last two year, however, a sharper understanding of what drives it as a business has evolved. Visitor surveys showed that the overwhelming majority of passengers regarded the ferry not primarily as a transport option but an adventure. They were being attracted by the uniqueness of the boat as part of their holiday experience. This message was taken on board and in 2009 a new business strategy was set out with the boat at its heart.
The company was re-organised in 2009 and Clive appointed as part-time CEO of the social enterprise. He is clear that, "First and foremost we are a tourist attraction". This new focus has had major implications for everyone involved, not least the crew who have been trained up to see themselves as part of the visitor experience. Clive says, "We don't hurry, we don't dash people across but encourage them to get out of their cars, have a cup of coffee in the little lighthouse above the slipway and talk to the crew. We have information about what people can see and do in the area and in a sense we're a tourist gateway to Skye".
The strategy is paying off and the aim is to continue to increase passenger numbers through targeted marketing. Clive says, "The only way into Glenelg is a 10 mile single track road - with a brilliant view from the top of the hill. This is what people enjoy and we're hoping to increase the number of cyclists and motor bikers". They also hope to increase passenger spend: the lighthouse which sits above the slipway brings in a welcome £8,000 a year through teas/coffees and ferry merchandise, but accommodation is very basic. The next stage is to raise funds to put up a bigger "eco-building" within the car park to provide toilet facilities and space for sit down teas and coffees.
With sales projections of £200,000 over the next few years the company should be able both to turn a decent profit and preserve a boat that is now widely seen as a "national treasure". Clive says, "We couldn't have done all this without HIE. The process of being account managed has really helped us think about our options for growing. HIE has been great".
HIE is also working to put the ferry on a secure long-term footing. Leases on the two slipways at either side of the crossing are coming to an end and HIE is leading on complicated legal negotiations over new lease arrangements with the landowners. Once these are settled, funds will be released to undertake repair work on the slipways. As Eilidh Ross from HIE says, "This is a very exciting time for the ferry company. The new 25 year leases will give them a secure future and they can go on to implement all their development plans".
Business information (figures correct as of 16 December 2010:
- Traded turnover - £123,382
- Employees - 5
- Assets - ferry, lease of Stevenson lighthouse in Glenelg
For further information visit www.skyeferry.co.uk or call HIE's Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross area office on 01478 61284
