Mallaig residents may be in line for some festive cheer with the announcement that petrol could return to the village in time for Christmas.
Denholm Fishselling, owners of the Johnston Brothers Filling Station, has set a target of mid-December for reopening the petrol station after it filed an application for a new above ground storage tank with the Highland Council.
Groundworks are expected to begin on October 30, with the delivery of the storage tank on November 15.
In a statement released on October 24, Denholm said ‘significant progress’ had been made towards returning the station to operation, and noted that although elements outside its control might lead to a slippage of dates, it recognised the importance of Mallaig having access to fuel.
‘We understand that coming into the winter months, the temporary closure of Mallaig fuel station continues to impact residents of, and visitors to, Mallaig and the surrounding area. We are therefore continuing to press forward with the project in order to ensure the fuel station is reopened as soon as possible, whilst ensuring we meet our health, safety and environmental responsibilities,’ the statement read.
Mallaig has been without access to fuel since April when a test of the equipment at the Johnston Brothers station identified a need to replace the underground fuel tanks, resulting in the compulsory suspension of fuel provision.
Motorists subsequently had to travel to Fort William to fill up on petrol, an 85-mile round trip. Diesel has been available in Morar, three miles away.
The return of fuel to Mallaig is positive news for the coastal town after a troubled summer.
As well as the lack of petrol, the Jacobite steam train, a popular tourist service from Fort William, was cancelled for more than three weeks in July due to safety concerns. The same month Mallaig’s care home, the Mackintosh Centre, was temporarily closed due to staffing issues. It has yet to reopen.
Meanwhile, the impending sale of the Morrison Building has created uncertainty for some of the town’s businesses, and earlier this month ferry operator CalMac announced the Mallaig-Armadale service could face disruption during any vessel redeployment.
Father Stanislaw Pamula, Morar Community Council chairperson, said the potential reopening of the petrol station was good news at a time when rural communities like Mallaig are struggling.
“It is certainly positive information for the local community about the most recent planning application by the petrol station,” he said.
“We are hopeful this difficult situation will be alleviated as soon as possible, and especially our elderly and vulnerable will once again have a chance to use their vehicles without strenuous journeys to Fort William to refuel.”
He added, however, that these remained worrying times for the area, with problems in healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and depopulation coupled with being given a limited number of representatives in parliament at the next election.
“We are resilient people here in the Highlands and always have been, depending strongly on social bonds and selflessness of friends and neighbours, but there can only be done so much with hands on the ground and no assistance from the outside,” Fr Pamula said.
“So here is our plea: do not abandon us, do not forget about us!
“Even though we do not carry as many votes as more densely populated areas, we are as much of part of Scotland as anywhere else. We want to grow and thrive, contribute to culture, environment and economy, but to do that, we need equal opportunities rather than being marginalised.”