The Original Glenelg to Skye Ferry runs seasonally from Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye to Glenelg, April to October. The MV Glenachulish is the last remaining manually operated turntable ferry in the world. You undertake a very special journey in the most beautiful location.
Getting to The Original Glenelg to Skye Ferry
You can cross the Kylerhea Narrows in either direction and buy either a single or return ticket. We left Portree, drove to Kylerhea, bought a single and then drove home via Sheil Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh. A fabulous day out with amazing scenery all around. Check the ferry’s social media for weather disruption posts or their website for exact details of fares and crossings.
Heading south on the A87 towards the Skye Bridge, leave the 40mph zone at Breakish and take the next right signed for Kylerhea. You will also see the signs for the ferry here. The turning is opposite the Ashaig airstrip driveway. The is a 7 mile very narrow, steep and winding single track road.
Advice on driving on our single track roads
Leave plenty of time to arrive at your destination as you are unlikely to be travelling much above 30mph. This is common on most of our single track roads. Be prepared to meet oncoming traffic and have to use the passing places on your left. You may have to reverse back to the nearest passing place. If the passing place is on your right stop opposite it, do not cross into it. Take your time, enjoy the views but respect other road users. Do not drive off the side of the road onto the verges to squeeze past other vehicles. If a faster vehicle comes up behind you, please pull into the next passing place on your left and let the vehicle past. Do not hold up traffic behind you.
There is a link here for more information about driving on our single track roads. If you are not comfortable reversing and manoeuvring into passing places this maybe isn’t the road for you.
Arriving at Kylerhea
Just before you arrive at Kylerhea you pass a car park on your left signed for the Otter Hide. This is a 1.25 mile walk to the hide so you can sit and watch marine mammals in the Kylerhea Narrows. We have not done this walk yet so cannot comment on it’s suitability.
The road eventually stops at the jetty so you may just join the end of a queue of vehicles. Join the queue and be patient. The ferry crosses every 20 minutes or so, you never have to wait for long. Whilst you are waiting look for the ferry crossing the narrows and the path it takes due to the tides. Also keep your eye out for common seals, otters and white tailed sea eagles. We have seen all of these in this area. On this visit we saw two common seals and a seal pup just on the rocks by the jetty.
As the ferry approaches you will see the manual turntable action in full swing. Wait for instructions to board and watch out for the Border Collies who work the ferry. They will herd you into the correct space or untie the ropes! You stay in your vehicle to cross but don’t worry you will not miss anything.
Enjoy the crossing, it is out of this world.
Arriving at Glenelg
Wait for the signal to disembark and follow the road past the old lighthouse and up the hill. Be careful as there will be cars, bicycles and pedestrians queuing down the hill to get on the ferry. At the top of the hill on the left is the new Shore Station owned by the ferry family. We stopped here for a drink and a slice of cake before heading to Glenelg. There is plenty of parking, outdoor seating, some undercover seating, ferry souvenirs and more. There is a ramp for access or 3-4 small steps with a handrail. The view back to Skye and over the course of the ferry is superb. The nearest toilets are at the Community Hall a few minutes drive away in Glenelg.
Once you have soaked in the view head round to Glenelg and enjoy all it has to offer.
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