ISLE OF SKYE TOURIST BOARD - OFFICIAL INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENT

SKYE BRIDGE TO BE CONVERTED INTO DRAWBRIDGE TO RESTORE ISLAND STATUS The Isle of Skye Tourist Board is delighted to announce an ambitious new infrastructure project which will see the Skye Bridge converted into Scotland’s first electronically operated tourist drawbridge. The proposal follows years of concern among residents that Skye has not technically felt like a proper island since the bridge opened in 1995. Prior to this, reaching Skye involved a ferry, a queue, a degree of patience and the possibility of spending an unexpected night in Kyle of Lochalsh. Since the introduction of the bridge, visitors have been able to drive directly onto the island without experiencing any meaningful inconvenience whatsoever. This has troubled many locals. Following extensive discussions, it has been agreed that restoring a degree of separation from the mainland would be beneficial to the island’s cultural identity, visitor management and general peace and quiet. The bridge will therefore be modified to allow the central section to rise, temporarily returning Skye to its traditional status as somewhere you can see but cannot necessarily get to. * THE PROPOSED OPERATING SYSTEM The new drawbridge will operate according to the following provisional timetable: 7.00am – Bridge lowered for essential workers, deliveries and residents. 9.00am – Bridge raised to allow the island to settle. 12.00pm – Bridge lowered briefly for pre-booked visitors. 12.15pm – Bridge raised again. 3.00pm – Bridge lowered for anyone with a convincing reason. 3.30pm – Bridge raised for the remainder of the afternoon. 6.00pm – Final mainland access, subject to local mood and weather conditions. Residents wishing to leave the island outside these hours will be able to apply for an emergency crossing. Applications will be assessed according to urgency, weather conditions and whether the applicant is expected back. There will be no guarantee of re-entry. * RESTORING SKYE’S ISLAND STATUS The project has received particular interest from those who maintain that Skye ceased to be a proper island when the bridge opened. Under the new arrangements, the bridge will be raised for a minimum of four hours daily, providing what officials describe as a “meaningful period of islandness”. During this time, Skye will be completely surrounded by water, as nature intended. The Tourist Board hopes this will finally settle the long-running geographical debate. Murdo, 79, disagrees. “It was always an island. The bridge just made it easier for folk to get here.” He has nevertheless expressed strong support for raising it. “Especially on a Friday.” * LOCAL ENGINEERING EXPERTISE Local crofter Donnie MacLeod has been appointed Senior Bridge Conversion Consultant. Donnie has extensive experience in agricultural lifting equipment and once raised a collapsed shed using two bottle jacks and a borrowed telehandler. He believes the bridge can be converted at relatively modest cost by fitting two hydraulic rams, a tractor gearbox and a length of cable he has left over from the Staffin Space Programme. His initial design also includes a manual winding handle in the event of electrical failure. The handle will be kept in Donnie’s shed. He says folk know where he lives. * VISITOR MANAGEMENT The new system is expected to significantly improve visitor traffic during the summer months. Rather than allowing an uncontrolled flow of campervans onto Skye, vehicles will be held in Kyle until sufficient space becomes available on the island. Once a passing place has been vacated, a corresponding vehicle will be permitted to cross. Priority will be given to ambulances, fire engines, essential deliveries and visitors who have already paid for accommodation. Motorhomes exceeding seven metres will be required to demonstrate that the driver understands the purpose of reverse gear. Those unable to do so may remain in Kyle. This is not intended as a punishment. Kyle has shops. * THE PREMIUM BRIDGE EXPERIENCE As part of the development, the Tourist Board is also pleased to announce a new visitor attraction. For an additional £18, tourists will be able to remain in their vehicles while the bridge is raised approximately six feet. This will provide an elevated view of the surrounding coastline and an opportunity to photograph Skye from an entirely new perspective. The experience will last approximately eight minutes. Passengers are advised to remain seated, keep their seatbelts fastened and avoid opening their doors to improve the photograph. A souvenir certificate confirming that they were briefly above the sea will be available for £6. Donnie has suggested increasing the height to thirty feet for the premium package. This is still under review. * FERRY ARRANGEMENTS CalMac has welcomed the proposal, noting that the ability to prevent vehicles reaching Skye without a ferry represents an exciting development in Scottish transport. A contingency ferry service may be introduced when the bridge is raised. However, this will be subject to vessel availability, staffing, tidal conditions, technical issues and whether the ferry is somewhere else. Visitors are advised not to regard this as an alternative means of transport. * PUBLIC SAFETY The Tourist Board wishes to reassure residents that the new drawbridge will incorporate a full range of safety features. Traffic lights and barriers will prevent vehicles entering the bridge while it is being raised. An audible warning will sound before each lift. For visitors unfamiliar with Scottish road signage, the warning will consist of Donnie standing beside the barrier shouting: “YOU’LL NEED TO WAIT.” A second warning will be issued if necessary. This will be louder. In the unlikely event of the bridge becoming stuck in the raised position, emergency services will attend and Donnie will be contacted. If Donnie is unavailable, Murdo has offered to supervise while somebody finds him. * ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS The project is expected to deliver considerable environmental improvements. Fewer vehicles will mean reduced emissions, less congestion and significantly lower pressure on the island’s passing places. Wildlife will also benefit. Seals will once again be able to swim beneath the bridge without listening to campervans changing gear. The island’s sheep have welcomed the proposal through their usual representative, who was found standing in the road. She declined to comment but refused to move. * PUBLIC CONSULTATION A public information evening will be held in Portree, where residents will be invited to examine the plans and express their views. Tea and biscuits will be provided. Those wishing to oppose the development should be aware that the bridge may be raised before the meeting finishes. The Isle of Skye Tourist Board believes this project represents an important step towards restoring the island’s traditional character while embracing modern infrastructure. For almost thirty years, people have been able to come and go from Skye whenever they pleased. It’s time we had a think about that. Murdo has suggested leaving the bridge up permanently and bringing back the ferry. Donnie says he’s happy with that, but he’s already bought the hydraulics. The Tourist Board has asked whether the bridge could be raised for a trial weekend before committing to the full project. Murdo says October would be ideal. ...Till April. - ISLE OF SKYE TOURIST BOARD "Restoring Skye’s island status. And giving the mainland a turn with the campervans."