Ice cream wars have broken out in Lochaber after a new business was accused of invading the territory of a rival – and the police have now been called in to investigate.
The clash involves Kevin Mulligan, who set up Fort William-based Mulligan Ices last year, and Donna MacIver, who started operating Mallaig Ices last month.
Mr Mulligan claims she is attempting to muscle in on his rounds.
The 46-year-old said he went to her home to discuss the situation last week – but the police were contacted and “had a word” with him.
Ms MacIver has declined to comment.
Mr Mulligan said: “I don’t understand why they would travel 23 miles from Mallaig to the Fort William area when there’s plenty of room in their own area and over on Skye without coming here.
“I’ve worked really hard to build up my business in Fort William and the surrounding area as there hasn’t been an ice cream van here for many years.
“I’ve got a loyal customer base now. I do a decent trade with the local people, but I don’t make a fortune. I’m just making a living.”
Mr Mulligan said he contacted Ms MacIver when she first started selling ice creams and told her he would give up part of his round in Ardgour and Achaphubuil as a goodwill gesture.
He added: “We both agreed that we didn’t want any hassle and we would get along fine.
“Then, completely out of the blue, they started coming and doing my routes after me making a goodwill gesture.
“I do a different route every day and they jumped on my routes and sneakily did them the day before me.”
He said that he went to see Ms MacIver at her home in Mallaig after his round on Tuesday evening to discuss the situation, but it was made clear that he was not welcome.
“I didn’t go to confront her. I just wanted to resolve things,” said Mr Mulligan.
The following day he posted a message on a social networking site thanking his customers for their support and explaining the situation.
He claimed Ms MacIver contacted the police after his online post, claiming that he was harassing her.
Mr Mulligan said: “I swear I didn’t do anything like harassment, but the police came and had a word with me about it.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that they had been contacted about the incident.
She said: “No complaints were made and suitable advice was given.”
