(434)  OVER THE SEA TO SKYE: GLENELG DECIDES NOT TO BUY ITS FERRY

On 14 February 2005 the Glenelg community decided by 60 votes to 39 to reject the offer to sell to them the Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry (see Nos 334, 348, 415(3)).  The decision was despite Highland Council’s decision on 3 February to provide financial support for the buy-out (for which see http://www.highland.gov.uk/cx/pressreleases/2005/jan05/glenelg.html  

(Council Budget Working Group recommendation press release, 20 January) and http://www.highland.gov.uk/minutes/headquarters/highland_council/reports/10feb05/hc-min-050203-extract.pdf (Council Minutes, 3 February).  The main reason behind the community’s decision against purchase seems to have been doubts about the financial viability of the service after the removal of the tolls on the Skye Bridge just before Christmas 2004 (for which see No 412).  The present owner of the ferry will now put it on the open market for sale, but if no buyer is found the service will cease to operate.