Strictly winner backs efforts to open new community shop in Kilchoan

Residents of the most westerly village on the British mainland have started a crowdfunder aimed at restoring essential services through a new community shop.

Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula is home to about 150 people and recently lost its only shop, post office and fuel station.

A fundraising drive has been launched to raise £500,000 to fund a new community facility that would also include electric vehicle chargers.

The campaign has been supported by wildlife photographer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin, who is a local resident.

Some locals have said they face lengthy 100-mile (161km) round trips to access essentials following the closure of The Ferry Stores at the end of October.

There is also concern the lack of fuel provision in the area is a growing risk to community safety and resilience.

West Ardnamurchan Community Development Company (WACDC) is leading the project.

The group's Rosie Curtis said: "You can't encourage people to move to rural Scotland while allowing the basic services that make life possible to disappear.

"A village without fuel, food or a post office isn't a community – it's a postcode waiting to be erased."

Strictly 2022 winner Yassin added: "This proposed new shop and fuel station will not only service the needs of the residents, but also support the tourism industry that is so vital to this community.

"We are committed to making Kilchoan a thriving and sustainable place to live and visit."

More than £30,000 has already been raised towards the £500,000 target.