A round-trip drive of 180 miles has become a normal commute for the owner of a flower shop in Ardrishaig who lives in Ardfern – which is only 18 miles away as the crow flies.
The closure of the A816 just south of Ardfern due to the landslides of October 7 means that Morna Shaw must go the long way round via Oban, Taynuilt and Inveraray, just to get to work.
Her business, Flowers by Morna, supplies hotels and businesses in the area, as well as funerals, weddings and organisations like the Dochas Carers Centre in Lochgilphead and December is one of the busiest months of the year for her.
Sometimes, Morna takes the ferry from Ardfern to Crinan but having to leave her car at Crinan is an inconvenience. Other times Morna stays overnight with family who live in the Ardrishaig area.
Too often she has to drive the 90-mile diversion, which can take more than two hours depending on the type of traffic on the roads.
When she drives, Morna leaves Ardfern about 7.30am and gets home after 8pm.
“It’s awful,” said Morna. “I have to get here but it is a round trip of 180 miles.
“Last Monday it took nearly three hours to get here, with a lorry in front of me. It is a lot of diesel.
“I know I don’t sell milk and bread but I am essential for things like funerals . I have got to get get here.”
South Knapdale Community Council chairperson Heather Moore said: “It is really tiring for Morna.
“She provides a big service. She never lets anybody down. Morna is an important part of the community.”
Morna’s biggest fear is that the A816 is closed for an extended period – this week’s announcement that it could be mid-December before it re-opens came as a blow.
Morna said: “It is a bit soul destroying – it is very tiring.”
The council has said an “outline alternative route” through a forested area using an existing forest planting track “and then across unmade ground to connect back to the A816” is also being progressed as an “emergency route”.
Morna said: “Hopefully, the road will reopen soon. We really are cut off. It’s horrible.”