One of Britain’s smallest ferry companies could be about to get a new visitor centre and office space if planning is granted to convert a council car park.
The Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company has submitted an application to develop a car park next to its terminal near Glenelg.
The ferry from just north of Glenelg to Kylerhea is one of two remaining ferry routes to Skye from the mainland and operates from Easter to October taking most tourists.
However, for years operators have struggled without proper office space and a lack of facilities.
Jo Crawford, Ferry Development Officer, said: “It was always in the business plan to bring the retail side of things to the fore.
“The idea is to have a small building, a really small, modest wood building where we can provide certain facilities to passengers or people passing through.
“We did a passenger survey and asked “what would you like to see?” and the responses we got from people were that they would like to have a cup of tea, get to a toilet.”
But there is more to the plan than just providing better facilities, as they want to preserve the heritage that comes with running a ferry to Skye.
Miss Crawford said: “It will be a place we can preserve the heritage of the ferry with displays information about the crossing in the past.
“We also want to promote the area, get people to go to Glenelg so it benefits too and encourage people to turn down to Anisdale to find its rich heritage.”
The company has been in operation for 12 years and last year was shortlisted for the Best Social Enterprise at the Highland Business Awards.
Miss Crawford said: “It will also provide employment and training, I will be working in the building which will provide vital office space for the ferry business.
“We have previously done the planning but we scaled down the build to keep the costs down.”
Now the ambition is to get the project through planning and make a start this year so that it will be open in time for next year’s season.
