In 2005, when the business was celebrating its 40th anniversary, The Oban Times wrote, “There are not many businesses in the West Highlands – let alone in the middle of the West Highlands – that can claim to be 40 years  old. There are even fewer that can claim to be going from strength to strength, but that is precisely what the Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum is doing. The family-run business is expanding, investing, diversifying and listening to its customers all the time, which is probably the very reason why it’s still growing after 40 years.”

And what was true then is true today, another 20 years on.

Fiona Robertson is one of the current partners, and the granddaughter of the original owners. She remembers when she first joined the family business. She said: “I have always loved being part of the business and started here, in the restaurant, clearing tables, at the age of nine. I think I got my first pay when I was 11, and I remember being absolutely thrilled to bits with my little brown envelope. I think my little pay packet was something like £11. I remember Mum taking me to Oban, straight to Boots the Chemist, and her saying ‘you can buy it all yourself now’, and poof!, my little brown envelope was empty.”

After graduating in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management, Fiona spent three-and-a half years in Aberdeen with her husband, Edward. Then, around 33 years ago, the couple moved to Tyndrum to be part of the business.

Since then there have been many changes. Fiona’s mother, Lesley, and brother, Iain Wilkie, both retired from the business, leaving just Fiona and Edward. Fiona’s father Derek, sadly passed away in 2004. But although retired, her mum is still a business partner – and still doing the flowers and the Christmas decorations. And she likes nothing better on a summer’s day than to sit outside, in front of the business, on the benches, chatting to the customers as they come in.

During the last 20 years, since the business celebrated its 40th anniversary, Fiona has seen a number of changes, but none more so than politically. She said: “Brexit has been the biggest, monumental change. And the fact that we can’t employ Eastern Europeans anymore unless they have the right to remain. It’s so hard now to get staff. We pay the Real Living Wage, have excellent staff accommodation, offer good rewards to employees in the business. All of us in hospitality have the same issue trying to get staff.