Hopes are high that new life can be breathed into a Highland Perthshire venture that provided fuel to one of the area’s most remote communities.
Since the Rannoch and Tummel Community Venture closed its doors a year ago, villagers in Kinloch Rannoch have faced a 40-mile round trip 80 miles from Rannoch Station to fill up their tanks in Aberfeldy or Pitlochry.
“The comment I get, particularly from older people, is: when are we going to get our filling station back?” community venture chairman Dr James Dreghorn said.
The filling station operated successfully from 2005 until January last year, when a combination of the harsh economic climate and a lack of financial reserves forced it into liquidation.
The service was highly valued locally and in view of the spiralling cost of fuel, a reopening would help to lessen the burden of fuel prices for Kinloch Rannoch residents.
The filling station, which was operated in conjunction with a cafe and gift shop, provided fuel as reasonably as the community venture could manage, with only a small margin added to cover the not-inconsiderable insurance costs.
Dr Dreghorn says he is optimistic the filling station can once more operate at the heart of the community.
“Several people have shown an interest but we have had no firm offers yet,” he said. “We are trying to sell the complete business but, with the price of petrol, it is holding some people back they are a bit apprehensive about that.
“There is genuine interest, for the right reasons. You are not going to make a fortune but there is a living to be made out of it and it would be an ideal business for a couple to run.
“The first anniversary of the filling station closing has just passed and a fuel supply is important to local people, particularly as they get older.”If you want to support the Courier’s call for a fuel duty regulator, click here to add your name to our petition.