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30 years ago, the Skye Bridge opened and imposed a toll of £4.70 for motorists to cross. This led to protests by some islanders, resulting in over 130 criminal convictions for failure to pay the toll fines. Despite the tolls being cancelled more than 20 years later, campaigners like prominent figure Robbie the Pict are now calling for these convictions to be overturned as a matter of principle.
Robbie the Pict, who has refused to pay the toll 130 times, has been leading the charge in campaigning for the convictions to be scrapped. The Skye Bridge, which replaced a ferry service in 1995, was built under a private finance initiative, leading to what was considered one of the most expensive tolls in Europe at £5.70. The toll sparked almost a decade of protests, with some islanders facing over 100 criminal charges as a result.
Protests organized by Skye and Kyle Against Tolls (Skat) involved various forms of resistance, including driving sheep across the bridge and paying the toll in pennies. The convictions stemming from these protests have affected some individuals’ ability to travel, impacting their entry into countries like the United States. Despite the tolls being cancelled and the bridge made free to use in 2004, campaigners like Robbie the Pict continue to fight for the convictions to be overturned.
The toll-free Skye Bridge has brought both positives and negatives to the island. While some, like Caroline Clouston, initially opposed the bridge and tolls, they now acknowledge the benefits of increased accessibility for locals and tourists. The tolls may have made Skye too busy now, but the bridge has become an accepted part of life on the island. The convictions, however, remain a lingering issue that campaigners are determined to address
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