I was delighted to speak with my constituents at a very well attended surgery in the village of Skipness.

Unsurprisingly the main issue being brought up was the local village shop and post office no longer being open. As many are already aware, before being elected to the council I ran the local store and post office in the village of Portnahaven, and i can say firsthand that the local shop is one of the key pillars that holds up a local community.

As a result local residents are having to travel all the way to Tarbert for their shopping and post office needs, with some having to use the bus service which means up to a 3 hour wait in Tarbert for the return journey.

I would implore the local estate to do more than they are now. It is my belief, and no doubt the belief of others, that they have a moral duty to do all that they can to see that this vital service is returned to the village of Skipness.

Rural depopulation is a challenge we are facing in many parts of Argyll and Bute, and we as a council must fight this by encouraging sustainable economic growth, and particularly the younger generations to live, work and put down roots, not just in the large towns, but in our villages, like Skipness, as well.

Cllr Alastair Redman