The Glenelg Ferry
The last hand-turned turntable ferry in the world, carrying cars across Kyle Rhea from Glenelg to Skye in summer.
The Glenelg ferry is the original crossing to Skye, over the narrows of Kyle Rhea from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea on the island, on the line of the old drove road.
The boat, the MV Glenachulish, is the last manually operated turntable ferry left in the world: cars drive on, and the crew swing the deck round by hand to bring them off on the far side. The crossing takes no more than fifteen minutes.
It is run by a community company, the Isle of Skye Ferry CIC, which employs a tenth of the local people and puts all its profit back into the boat, the slipways and local groups. Around 32,000 passengers and more than 12,000 vehicles make the crossing each season. It sails from April to mid-October, every day, between 10am and 6pm, every twenty minutes or as needed; there is no booking, and you pay on board. On the Glenelg side, the Shore Station café and shop is a place to watch for rare wildlife.
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April to mid-October, seven days a week, 10am to 6pm, every 20 minutes or as required; weather can close it.
No booking: pay on board, cash or card. Car with up to four people £20, £30 return; foot passenger £5; bicycle and cyclist £6. The crossing takes no more than fifteen minutes.
- Getting there
- Glenelg, over the Mam Ratagan pass from Shiel Bridge; or Kylerhea on Skye.
- Season
- April to mid-October, daily.
- Hours
- 10:00 to 18:00, every 20 minutes.
- Fares
- Car £20; foot £5.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am–6pm
- Tuesday
- 10am–6pm
- Wednesday
- 10am–6pm
- Thursday
- 10am–6pm
- Friday
- 10am–6pm
- Saturday
- 10am–6pm
- Sunday
- 10am–6pm
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Add your reviewGlenelg, IV40 8JR, and Kylerhea, Skye.
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Kylerhea Otter HavenA forest hide above the narrows of Kyle Rhea, on an easy trail, for otters, seals, porpoises and sea eagles; free.Under a mile 8 min by road
Otter HideUnder a mile 1 min by road
Shore Station CaféUnder a mile 8 min by road
Bernera BarracksThe substantial ruins of redcoat barracks built near Glenelg after 1715 to guard the crossing to Skye, for up to 240 soldiers.3 miles 11 min by road
Glenelg InnA traditional Highland inn in Glenelg looking over the Sound of Sleat to Skye, with log fires, a cosy bar and local food.3 miles 12 min by road
Dun Telve and Dun Troddan6 miles 22 min by road
Places to stay near the ferry, and when each is next free.
Lusa Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Ashaig
- 6 miles from the ferry
Kinloch Lodge- To stay
- In Sleat
- 6 miles from the ferry
Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage- Sleeps 8
- In Isleornsay
- 7 miles from the ferry
Stonechat Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Drumfearn
- 8 miles from the ferry
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .