Celebration of 50th birthday of historic Isle of Skye ferry MV Glenachulish

A birthday celebration, complete with piper and cake, took place at Glenelg (Scottish Gaelic: Glinn Eilg) in the Localsh area of Highland in western Scotland on Saturday.  It was the 50th birthday of Skye's historic car ferry MV Glenachulish, named after Glenachulish (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann a' Chaolais) a glen in the Scottish highlands. The ferry was built at Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon (Scottish Gaelic: An Truthail / An t-Sròn) in 1969. In the summer months MV Glenachulish travels between Glenelg and Kylerhea (Scottish Gaelic: Caol Reatha), on the Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach).

MV Glenachulish has been used to cross the powerful currents of the narrows between the two since 1982. There has been a ferry on the route for over 400 years, but a car ferry has crossed the straits since 1934. The boat is operated by a community-owned company. The MV Glenachulish is unique in that it is the last hand operated turntable ferry in operation in the world. It can transport six cars plus foot passengers on the open deck and when it ties up alongside the slipway the crew manually turn the deck, which is built on a turntable, for cars and passengers to embark and disembark. For news on the MV Glenachulish as well as timetables and sailings go to the Glenelg - Skyferry website.

Image: Glenelg - Skyferry birhday cake courtesy of The Original Glenelg-Skye Ferry facebook page and MV Glenachulish courtesy of Glenelg - Skyferry website.