The Ferry Stores, the only shop in the remote village of Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Highland, has closed its doors for the final time after more than 50 years of service. The shop, which also provided post office services and sold petrol, fell victim to declining footfall and the rise of home delivery services.
Morag Doherty, 66, who ran the shop with her husband David, 67, said the final straw was when Morrisons started home deliveries. 'That killed us,' she said. The shop had been a vital hub for the 200 residents of the windswept coastal village, serving as the only retail outlet for 20 miles.
The closure leaves the nearest filling station 29 miles away in Strontian and the next post office 22 miles away in Acharacle. Brendan O'Hara, the SNP MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, warned that such losses 'strike at the very heart of rural community life' and could accelerate depopulation in remote areas.
In a statement, the Dohertys said they had seen a steady decline in footfall due to changing shopping habits and online services. They thanked their staff and loyal customers for their support over the years, adding that they took comfort in having served the village for seven years and being part of its history.
