A restaurant famed for being the first haggis producer on the isle of Mull is hoping to expand.
If planning permission is granted, Ballygown Restaurant at Ulva Ferry will soon become Croft 3.
The closest neighbouring restaurant in the north part of the island is six miles away in Dervaig.
Jeanette Cutlack opened Ballygown six years ago and and as news spread that she was the only haggis producer on Mull at that time, business boomed.
The restaurant has its own special haggis spice mix and all of the meat used is from the island.
She said: “We get a lot of tourists who want to try home-made haggis while staying in Scotland.
“I’m glad we have it on the menu because it is using up a product which would otherwise go to waste, the offal. It is also supporting the local slaughterhouse.”
While the new building will only increase the number of covers from 16 to 18, there will be more space for outside seating. But most importantly, it gives her extra kitchen space to make her haggis, which is currently prepared in her kitchen at home.
Eventually she hopes to expand even more through collaboration with the island’s slaughterhouse.
In a letter of support to the plan, Moray Finch, general manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust, said the plan would boost the local economy of Ulva Ferry. He said: “The proposed new restaurant will be a valuable addition to the local community and will help with the regeneration of Ulva Ferry.
“At present there are no local restaurants serving evening meals so the proposed restaurant will help sustain the few existing B&B accommodation providers.”
The applications are seeking permission for a restaurant, croft house, and agricultural barn on a recently revived croft at Fanmore, close to the existing restaurant.
The project aims to revive a disused croft and ruined byre and secure and expand a successful local restaurant and haggis business that has become a cornerstone of the community.
The croft had become overgrown in the 70 years that it had lain dormant.
Since purchasing the croft in the winter, Ms Cutlack has worked tirelessly to clear away the bracken in advance of reintroducing livestock. The existing track has been cleared so that farm vehicles can access the croft again.
