01 July 96 - New Skye Ferry Starts

A ferry service linking Kyle and Kyleakin is now running once more.

Local man John MacRae, and his son Evander, had their final hurdle cleared when the Marine Safety Agency gave them the green light to start their passenger only ferry service. Their boat, the Heather , passed on Monday morning, and the service started up hours later.

The Heather is capable of carrying 50 passengers on the five minute crossing between the eastern slipway near the railway in Kyle and the southside of the old CalMac slipway pier in Kyleakin. The boat is crewed by two former CalMac ferry employees who were made redundant last year when the ferry was taken off the run.

Crewman Brian Wilson, said "We have been taking between 150 and 200 people across per day and things are starting to get busier as more people get to know us."

"Thursdays are our best days at the moment, when the Shearings coach tours come down to Kyle and does not go across the bridge. As word spreads we hope to get more buses."

The cost for a single fare will be £1 and a return of £1.50. However, for locals and children the fare will be 50p and £1 return.


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Copyright © Ray Shields, 1996.

Most recent revision, 01 July 1996.