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Local resident, Jeanette Lynn, has been operating Ballygown Restaurant since 2014 as a 16-seat facility in the township of Fanmore, which lies three miles west of Ulva Ferry and 15 miles south of Tobermory.
Housed in a small bothy extension to Jeanette’s home, the business was particularly badly affected by pandemic restrictions due its size and lack of space for social distancing.
The new restaurant is being built on de-crofted land, where a derelict byre is being renovated to accommodate 18 seated customers.
It will offer a much-needed service for visitors to this remote part of the island, particularly those who arrive by boat via the new landings at Ulva Ferry, who would otherwise have to travel more than ten miles to the next nearest restaurant.
In addition to the owner, the new Ballygown restaurant will provide rural employment for a full-time chef and two part time waiting staff.
The business will be sourcing ingredients locally as much as possible, which will reduce food miles, promote local produce and support other local businesses.
The HIE funding has been awarded in recognition of the lack of other eating options in the area for visitors, the creation of rural jobs and the value of the new restaurant to local community resilience.
Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said:
“There are several community and economic benefits to this project. It will significantly enhance the local visitor offering, with the nearest eating places being 11 miles away. It will provide valuable and much needed rural employment, and it will bring a disused building back into productive use.
“There are other benefits too, through sourcing supplies locally wherever possible, which benefits other businesses on the island. I’m very pleased we have been able to support the project and look forward to seeing the new restaurant completed.”
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