I am sorry to say that we missed seeing this intriguing ferry, MV Glenachulish, when we visited Skye last September. (We went “over the sea to Skye” on the more conventional ferry from Mallaig to Armadale.) I had never heard of a turntable ferry before Dick Kooyman was kind enough to pass this short video from the BBC of the world’s last manually-operated turntable ferry. 

Its unique design allows it to navigate the challenging tidal conditions of the Kylerhea Narrows between the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Skye.  The 550-meter (600-yard) crossing takes five minutes and is the shortest sea crossing to Skye. The ferry runs seven days a week between Easter and October.

Up to six cars can be transported on the Glenachulish‘s deck, which the crew rotate by hand when it reaches its slipway.

Glenachulish was built at Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon in 1969. She is named after Glenachulish, a glen and hamlet near South Ballachulish.

The ferry was saved in 2007 when it was bought by the local community after its long-term skipper retired.