Always on
This project successfully funded on 9th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Kilchoan: Building Our Shop, Fuel & Future
Acharacle, Highland Council, United Kingdom
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Aim
To create a community‑owned shop, fuel station and EV charger in Kilchoan, restoring essential services and securing the village’s future.
Our story
Kilchoan is the most westerly village on the British mainland, a beautiful place only accessible via many miles of single track road, or by sea. Until recently, our community relied on a small shop, post office and fuel station — the essential services that keep daily life moving.
In October 2025, all three closed permanently.
Now, the nearest place to buy everyday essentials or fuel is across the water in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull — a ferry trip costing over £30 for a car and driver, with a limited winter timetable. And that’s assuming the ferry is running at all. In winter, or stormy weather, it often isn’t.
The only alternative is a long drive further up the peninsula, for basic supplies or to fill up with fuel. Reaching the nearest shop takes about an hour and a half for the round trip, and getting fuel adds at least another half hour, making the total journey roughly two and a half hours. For older residents, these journeys are impossible. For families, they’re costly and time‑consuming. For everyone, they’re simply not sustainable.
This situation is already affecting daily life for local residents, but the long‑term impact could be far worse. The absence of a local fuel supply is absolutely critical and poses a serious risk to emergency services, which rely on rapid access to fuel to respond quickly and keep residents safe. Tourism is also one of Kilchoan’s main sources of income. Without a shop or fuel station, visitors will stop coming. When visitor numbers fall, jobs disappear. When jobs disappear, families leave. Once a rural community begins to decline, it becomes extremely difficult to reverse.
We are determined not to let that happen.
Our plan
Two well‑advertised, and well-attended public meetings, led by West Ardnamurchan Community Development Company (WACDC) have been held in Kilchoan Community Centre. The community overwhelmingly voted that the community should move forward and build a new community owned shop, with fuel and EV charging.
The total projected cost of the initiative is currently sitting at £500,000 with some project costs still to be confirmed. WACDC has set a Crowdfunder target of £500,000 to reflect the scale and pace of community ambition and to maximise the project’s overall impact. Alongside the public campaign, WACDC is pursuing a range of national and regional grants which, if successful, will also contribute to the final project cost.
To strengthen our grant applications and increase our chances of securing the funding needed to deliver the project in full, we need your help and support!! Every single donation to this Crowdfunder, no matter how big or small, will help us demonstrate the strength of local backing and take us closer to achieving community match funding.
A local landowner has generously offered a site opposite the Community Centre on Pier Road for a new shop and fuel station. At the second public meeting, a clear majority supported accepting this offer. A planning application has now been submitted to Highland Council for a new building that will include a village shop, a fuel station, an electric vehicle charging point, and ten parking spaces.
The shop will be owned by the community but will be operated under a professional lease arrangement, ensuring high‑quality service without placing day‑to‑day running pressures on volunteers. WACDC has already approached major convenience store operators — all of whom have expressed interest.
With the plans progressing and strong community backing in place, the next crucial step is securing the funding to make it happen.
This Crowdfunder is a vital step in bringing essential services back to Kilchoan. Your support — whether you live here, visit regularly, or simply believe rural communities deserve a future — will help us rebuild what we’ve lost and protect the long‑term viability of our village.
Kilchoan is at a critical moment. With your help, we can secure the services that keep this community alive.
Our goals
We’re building a much‑needed new village shop and fuel station for Kilchoan — a bright, welcoming place to pick up essentials, catch up with neighbours, and stay connected. More than a shop, it will be a true community hub that supports daily life and brings people together.
We want the shop to:
- Be welcoming to residents and visitors
- Offer year‑round employment
- Support local food producers
- Be owned by the community
- Restore the essential services Kilchoan has lost
What the money will fund
- Building Structure / Steel Frame: 130k
- EV Charger: 30k
- Fuel pumps and tanks: 70k
- Groundworks: 160k
- Professional Fees: 25k
- Shop Fitting: 15K (first and second fix)
- Utilities: 10K
- Landscaping: 5K
- Contingency 55K: (c12% of subtotal of 445K)
How You Can Help
- Donate: Every contribution helps move the project forward
- Claim a Reward: Choose from a range of rewards starting at £25 (Additional rewards will be added through the duration of the campaign.
- Spread the Word: Share the campaign with friends and family
Thanks to all who contributed footage, images and narration for our campaign video, with special thanks to Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach for providing the music, Gathan-grèin, from their album Spiorachas - A High Place. Huge thanks to everyone who is helping to bring this project to life — our supporters, donors, contributors, and all those working tirelessly behind the scenes. Your collective effort and encouragement mean so much to this community.
FAQ
What happens if the project raises more than the target?
In the interests of transparency, fundraising guidelines ask us to explain how we’d use any funds beyond our target. While our goal is simply to raise enough to complete the project, if we do receive extra support, any additional funds will go directly to WACDC to support future community projects in West Ardnamurchan. This ensures that every contribution continues to benefit the local area and strengthens long‑term community development beyond this single initiative.
When will the shop open?
We anticipate the shop will be open and ready for business at the start of the summer season, allowing residents and visitors to benefit from the new facilities as soon as the busy period begins.
Who is managing the project?
The project is being led by West Ardnamurchan Community Development Company (WACDC), a community‑led charity focused on creating sustainable projects that support the remote West Ardnamurchan area. Founded in 2012 and granted charitable status in 2016, it works to strengthen the local economy, environment, and social wellbeing.
WACDC’s vision is for West Ardnamurchan to be a thriving, inclusive and sustainable place — economically, socially and environmentally — where the community can seize new opportunities and respond confidently to future challenges.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made