Scottish ferry may be sailing into history

GLENELG, Scotland, March 26 (UPI) -- A remote village in the Scottish highlands fears that if it loses its ferry over the sea to Skye, its own doom is near.

The Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company, which is trying to buy the ferry and keep it operating, has raised 90,000 pounds ($158,000) and needs 60,000 pounds more. The ferry, which carries only six cars at a time, connects Glenelg, population 240, with Kylerhea on Skye. The service has been operating since the days when Dr. Johnson and James Boswell were touring the Hebrides.

"We used to have a ferry, inn, candleworks and Pictish brochs (round castle towers) to bring people in," Jennifer Frances, a spokesman for the company, told The Scotsman. "The ferry may close, the inn is up for sale, and the candleworks has burnt down. We are losing all our reasons for people to divert off the main road."

The Glenachulish -- the last turntable ferry still in operation in the world -- has appeared in numerous ads for whisky and cars.

Roddy MacLeod, who has operated the service for 15 years, said he has built up another year-round business and can no longer continue with a seasonal one.