The price of petrol rose by 6p per litre in May – the biggest monthly increase in the past 18 years.
In figures released by the motoring group RAC, the average price of petrol nationwide now stands at 129.4p per litre – the highest since mid-august 2014. The price of diesel also rose by 6p through the month of May to 132.3p per litre.
Local fuel providers across the Highlands have noticed rising prices – however, some said last night that trade remains unaffected as the influx of summer visitors takes its hold across the rural villages and towns.
Ronnie Mackay, director at William Dunnet in Thurso, said: “Right now our volume goes up with the north coast 500 visitors but there are people complaining – mainly our local and regular customers.
“There is not a lot that we can do, margins are tight so everyone is keeping an eye on that and people are feeling a bit of a bite.”
The RAC report forecasts that over the next fortnight average prices may reduce by around one pence as a result of the cost per barrel of oil settling at $76.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “May was a hellish month for motorists. Sadly, they have been besieged by pump price rises for three months with nearly 9p a litre being added to petrol since the beginning of March.
“The rising oil price together with a weaker pound is a punitive combination for anyone that drives regularly. For many people there is little alternative to the car for the majority of journeys they have to make so it is therefore very difficult to avoid feeling the pinch of rising pump prices.”
Across the north of Scotland, residents and visitors rely hugely on fuel for transportation of people, goods and produce.
Garry Simpson, owner of Drum of Wartle filling station, said: “Its much and such the same. You do get your moans and groans but people are banging in the same every week so at the moment it doesn’t appear to be really affecting us.”
Kathryn Masson, the retailer at the Road to the Isles filling station in Fort William, said: “Half a dozen people have commented on the price of fuel today. It’s hard to say how it has or will affect us, but people are still going to have to get fuel.”
