tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183496185040469592010-04-20T17:25:49.807+01:00Latest news about the unique Glenelg Skye Ferry, which is run by The Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company. Our ferry, the Glenahulish, is a Scottish National Treasure, and the only turntable ferry of its kind in the UK.Jacknoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-82018918958565373972010-04-20T17:21:00.002+01:002010-04-20T17:25:49.817+01:00

It has been absolutely freezing today (and customers are scarce). It actually snowed a couple of times - felt quite seasonal, although not the right one! However, we did see a school of 8 bottle-nosed dolphins going through the narrows including babies (calves?).

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-58332292528401765562010-04-09T15:25:00.003+01:002010-04-09T15:37:35.981+01:00

Well, we started service on the 1st April and apart from one day of bad weather we have been very busy. The Genachulish is looking very smart in her new paintwork and was greeted on her first day back by an otter coming to see what was happening - they are a bit shortsighted so sometimes come towards noise to check it out. We've also seen a sea eagle, although quite high and not very clear.

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-80827136332022826452010-03-31T19:16:00.002+01:002010-03-31T19:19:34.701+01:00

Welcome to spring in the Highlands. The Glenachulish starts 2010 ferry service tomorrow and there is a white-out!. Hopefully the snow will clear and we can begin to enjoy ourselves after our hard work with the paint brushes and welding torch.

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-34432732298157840702010-03-07T15:19:00.001Z2010-03-07T15:33:56.211Z

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-11320496753904660312010-03-01T16:28:00.002Z2010-03-01T16:32:01.226Z

Only a month to go before the Ferry starts again on April 1st (no funny remarks please). Lots of work still to do now the Glenachulish is back from Stornoway and safe in the harbour. Mostly cosmetic. Paint and more paint, but also servicing the liferaft and safety equipment.

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-87207820539720448352010-02-19T11:57:00.003Z2010-02-19T12:06:44.432Z

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-78758439147814310602010-02-19T11:26:00.002Z2010-02-19T11:52:30.064Z

Approaching Stornoway.Morning in Gairloch on Day 2Under the Skye Bridge on Day 1.

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-13242456074051787392009-11-26T16:23:00.002Z2009-11-26T16:26:57.290Z

We have decided that although it will be expensive we will take the Glenachulish to Stornoway so we can work on her keel and other areas of the hull that need some major welding. Before we go we need to overhaul the engines and patch some minor holes! Watch this space for photos of us crossing The Minch in a few weeks.

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-32180957622443820342009-11-17T11:02:00.004Z2009-11-17T11:10:52.502Z

This photo is of the Glenachulish in her original colours taken at Balachulish in her younger days. Perhaps we ought to paint her these colours again?

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-68272828879229978272009-11-11T16:49:00.002Z2009-11-11T16:53:06.275Z

The MV Glenachulish is 40 years old this year so she takes quite a bit of looking after. This year we will be concentrating on the hull and keel so we may need to take her to a slipway in Stornaway to have the work done. Donnie and Q are looking forward to taking her over the Minch in 12 hour sailing - a little more than she usually gets across the Kylerhea Narrows!

clive pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06431529445872421524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-29371151953377059862009-11-11T16:02:00.000Z2009-11-11T16:02:46.250Z

The Ferry is now out of the water for its usual winter maintenance. New skipper/engineer Q is busy with his paint brush and soon the welding kit will put in an appearance.

Graham Sutherlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05357853719233008244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-31521077771077784882009-08-06T08:39:00.002+01:002009-08-06T08:42:40.470+01:00

The ferry location, though not the ferry itself, are featured in photos for the latest CD Album of Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro. A photo of the location features in the posters and avertising for the album and you may even be able to spot a crew member in the background!

peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-79189352365408486602009-08-06T08:33:00.002+01:002009-08-06T08:39:14.813+01:00

The ferry featured last night (Wednesday 5th) on the BBC TV programme "Who Do You Think You Are". The episode of the BBC's "Coast" featuring film of the ferry and an interview on board about the history of ferry crossings from Glenelg to Kylerhea will be shown on the 18th August.

peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-78414683522525806862009-08-06T08:31:00.002+01:002009-08-06T08:33:11.048+01:00

The ferry had its busiest day since the community company purchase yesterday with 128 cars between 17:00 Tuesday and 17:00 Wednesday.

peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-52721841259246625532009-07-20T20:11:00.002+01:002009-07-20T20:32:59.073+01:00

A minke whale was spotted in Kyle Rhea by one of the ferry crew yesterday, one had been seen last week in the Sound of Sleat and Loch Hourn.A little further afield, I was informed of a very interesting sighting of two white storks which actually alighted on the barracks in Glenelg. White storks are extremely rare birds in the UK so this sighting may well attract a great deal of interest.

peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718349618504046959.post-14815125164761082342009-07-15T11:00:00.002+01:002009-07-15T11:13:13.330+01:00

Here's a black and white photograph of the Appin Chief at the Glenelg slipway

Graham Sutherlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05357853719233008244noreply@blogger.com