Wanted... a new owner for the last shop in Scotland

By DAN BARKER FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL Published: 20:33, 17 April 2026 | Updated: 20:33, 17 April 2026 With overbearing noise, polluted air and crammed conditions, it is little wonder many Scots dream of escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city. Now the ultimate chance to get out of the rat race has arrived, as the search for a shopkeeper to take on one of the country’s most remote stores begins. Kilchoan, at the edge of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Argyll and with a population of 150, has been left without a shop for months. The Ferry Stores provided an essential community hub but it closed in October, meaning those living in the most westerly village on the mainland face 100-mile round trips for supplies. Determined villagers, however, have decided they will not live without a retail outlet and are working to build a replacement to provide the lifeline services they need. Now the West Ardnamurchan Community Development Company has launched a search for a retail operator. Its advertisement, which went live yesterday, said it was ‘seeking an experienced retail operator to lease and run the Kilchoan Community Shop and Service Station’. The village is in one of the  most remote parts of Scotland Villagers hope the shop will once more become a hub for their community A ferry service runs from Kilchoan Pier to Tobermory, on Mull Sarah Kocserha, a member of the West Ardnamurchan Community Council and who is on the board recruiting the operator, said: ‘This is a unique opportunity to run a business that is not only commercially viable but also central to the wellbeing and resilience of one of Scotland’s most remote communities.’ The need to get the shop and fuel station is desperate, with the nearest place to buy essentials or fuel across the water in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – and that is assuming the CalMac ferry is running. And with tourism a major source of income, locals fear that without a shop or fuel station people will stop visiting. There has been huge support in getting a shop back in the village, with a fundraising drive having already raised a six-figure sum. Rosie Curtis, chairman of the community council and a local crofter, said: ‘This funding brings us closer to restoring services that are essential for the community’s future.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.