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Post Office reopens in most westerly village on British mainland

News imagePOST OFFICE Many people, young and old, gathered outside Kilchoan Post Office to celebrate its reopening at a new location. A piper is stood outside the door in traditional dress, playing his bag pipes.POST OFFICE
The community rallied together to restore postal and banking services to the village

Residents in Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula have celebrated the reopening of their Post Office.

The village, the most westerly on the British mainland, is home to about 150 people and lost its only shop, Post Office and fuel station in October.

West Ardnamurchan Community Development Company (WACDC) has led a project to restore essential services to the area. The first to open is the Post Office at its new location at Kilchoan Community Centre.

Villagers and tourists enjoyed cake and drinks ahead of the official reopening on Tuesday.

News imagePOST OFFICE Many people, young and old, gathered round to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Post Office. There is a red ribbon with the Post Office logo on it, and two ladies are using large red scissors to snip the ribbon.POST OFFICE
New postmaster Richard Johnson held the ribbon during the grand opening of Kilchoan Post Office

Richard Johnson, who worked with volunteers to re-establish the branch, has been appointed as the new postmaster.

"It's been a 45-minute drive there and back for the nearest Post Office, or a 35-minute ferry ride to Tobermory," said Johnson.

He said the reopening had brought a "real buzz of excitement" to the community.

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