A DOCUMENTARY film-maker is appealing for information about a former West Highland turntable ferry which was last heard of under the ownership of a Helensburgh businessman.
Graham Kitchener, creative director of the Film Academy Edinburgh, and an award winning corporate drama-narrative film maker, is working on a documentary film on the last three ferries which crossed the waters of Loch Leven, linking South and North Ballachulish – the Glenachulish, Glen Duror and Glen Loy.
And it's the story of the last-named of the trio that is proving the hardest to track down.
Mr Kitchener said: “The Glenchaulish is still working up at Glenelg, doing the Skye crossing, and I found the wreck of the Glen Duror on the shore of Mull, near Ulva.
"But the last record of the Glen Loy is when she was bought, stripped down to a barge, by a Helensburgh man William Sutherland.
“She was an active turntable ferry at Ballachulish up until mid-1975, and Mr Sutherland bought her from a chap in Camusnagaul, who had salvaged it after it had been brought ashore during a January storm outside Fort William in early 1976.”
LATEST HEADLINES: Major lochside housing development plan goes publicThe Ballachulish ferry service ceased to operate in December 1975 upon the completion of the Ballachulish Bridge, which removed a major bottleneck on the main road between Glasgow and the West Highlands and now forms part of the A82 trunk road.
Graham continued: “On June 1, 1979, William Sutherland put the Glen Loy op for sale. At this point she is just a flat deck barge-like vessel, having had her turntable car deck and stern wheelhouse removed.
“From what I can deduce he used it as part of a marine contract on the west coast which was now finished, hence the reason he was selling it.
"He took on a contract in Saudi Arabia in 1980, and the trail goes dead there.
“The members of his family I have been able to trace and speak to are not able to give me any more information about the what happened to the Glen Loy or to whom he sold it.
LATEST HEADLINES: Helensburgh and Lomond councillor slams authority over waterfront delays“I need to find out where did William keep her, and who bought it.
"Failing that, if no one bought it, then what happened to it?
"I would be grateful for any information that will help in the hunt.”
It is hoped that the finished documentary will be premiered in Ballachulish later this year, so time is running out to trace the Glen Loy's story.
If anyone can help with any information, they can telephone Graham on 07710 530 733.
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