Glenelg / Skye Ferry Petition
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 11:56 am
The private, turntable ferry to Skye or Glenelg has to pay a fee to a landowner of 5% of its annual income, not profit, income or turnover, it also has to be equal to, or more than the previous years payment. It's an ancient money grab, serf crushing rule, that our betters, the estate owners have been, exploiting the people of Scotland for an age. Because they can. Our betters never lose out, irrespective of how downtrodden we serfs are.
Okay, a bit heavy on the our betters, serf wording. Landowners do have a right to receive payment from the use of their assets. However, the petition is asking for the First Minster to petition to change the rule. Obviously what change is the big question, and that is not mentioned.
There are two sides to the story and one of the landowners on the other side, has never charged, and handed the rights of the ferry operation over to the community. But not the plastic chieftain "Richard Oliphant of that Ilk" who reinstated his chieftanship so he can strop around with a cock up his beaver. The fanny! Hint, look up Burn's poem "Cock Up Yer Beaver" and read the links below for context. (-;
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-nati ... 2880629981
https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/culture ... he-flames/
IF MINDED, AND WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND PERSUADE THE FIRST MINISTER TO INTERVENE PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ ... skye-ferry
Okay, a bit heavy on the our betters, serf wording. Landowners do have a right to receive payment from the use of their assets. However, the petition is asking for the First Minster to petition to change the rule. Obviously what change is the big question, and that is not mentioned.
There are two sides to the story and one of the landowners on the other side, has never charged, and handed the rights of the ferry operation over to the community. But not the plastic chieftain "Richard Oliphant of that Ilk" who reinstated his chieftanship so he can strop around with a cock up his beaver. The fanny! Hint, look up Burn's poem "Cock Up Yer Beaver" and read the links below for context. (-;
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-nati ... 2880629981
https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/culture ... he-flames/
IF MINDED, AND WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND PERSUADE THE FIRST MINISTER TO INTERVENE PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ ... skye-ferry
This ten minute crossing is famous around the world - and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere. It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but it's under threat thanks to a wealthy landowner - Edinburgh-based retired corporate financier Richard Oliphant of that Ilk - forcing the community to follow archaic land laws.
These laws mean that the Glenelg to Skye ferry and tearoom - who employ a large number of the local population - have to give millionaire land owner 5% of it's annual income. But it gets worse; these outdated laws also say that the payment for each new year can't be less than the previous year.
It means that even though bad weather lowered earnings this year, Oliphant of that Ilk will still receive £10,000 because a great tourist season last year meant they had to pay him that much. It's an absolutely ridiculous situation, that is putting this amazing community asset at risk.