50,000 signatures reached
To: John Swinney and the Scottish Government
Save the Glenelg - Skye ferry!
Please change or scrap the "right to ferry" rule that means the Glenelg - Skye ferry must pay a portion of its annual income to a landowner.
Why is this important?
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 the ferry's operator says its future may be under threat.
Under "right to ferry" rules, the Glenelg to Skye ferry and tearoom - who employ a number of the local population - entered into a commercial lease with a landowner in order to operate. It means they have to pay a portion of their annual income every year, but the ferry operators say that a clause in the lease that means they can not pay less than they did the previous year - no matter how much they've actually made - puts the ferry at risk.
As a Skye resident that first used this ferry crossing back in 1958 I'd be devastated if this ferry ever had to stop operating. So I'm calling for Scottish politicians to step in and change the rules to support this incredible ferry and community.
38 Degrees has been contacted by the landowner, who states that instead of charging any of Highland Council's far more expensive Port, Harbour or Ferrying charges, the lease was agreed mutually over three years in 2007-9 as a standard form commercial lease of the privately owned Kylerhea Slipway and Landing Rights including the Ferry Rights. The rent charged since 2013 has been (on average) 2.07% of the ferry operator’s total turnover as its sole Premises cost and for the last year on record, 2024, was 2.57% of Turnover. Of the 2025 Rent, half yet remains to be paid, which is in line with how the grassom recapture works. The rent is reviewed by reference to average turnover in the three last years of the prior five year fixed rent period and was agreed and is intended to increase at a rate well below usual review criteria for commercial property such as retail prices index (RPI), inflation et al. This petition is addressed to Scottish Government to change the law covering private ownership of thoroughfares such as this.
Please note: While we recognise this ferry is beloved internationally, as a UK based petition site, targeting UK based decision makers, we only accept signatures from people living here in the UK. If we have reason to believe a signature was added from a non UK resident, we reserve the right to remove it before the petition gets handed in.
38 Degrees has been contacted by the landowner, who states that instead of charging any of Highland Council's far more expensive Port, Harbour or Ferrying charges, the lease was agreed mutually over three years in 2007-9 as a standard form commercial lease of the privately owned Kylerhea Slipway and Landing Rights including the Ferry Rights. The rent charged since 2013 has been (on average) 2.07% of the ferry operator’s total turnover as its sole Premises cost and for the last year on record, 2024, was 2.57% of Turnover. Of the 2025 Rent, half yet remains to be paid, which is in line with how the grassom recapture works. The rent is reviewed by reference to average turnover in the three last years of the prior five year fixed rent period and was agreed and is intended to increase at a rate well below usual review criteria for commercial property such as retail prices index (RPI), inflation et al. This petition is addressed to Scottish Government to change the law covering private ownership of thoroughfares such as this.
Please note: While we recognise this ferry is beloved internationally, as a UK based petition site, targeting UK based decision makers, we only accept signatures from people living here in the UK. If we have reason to believe a signature was added from a non UK resident, we reserve the right to remove it before the petition gets handed in.
