Aideen Gallagher would like an unusual present for her wedding next year - a mile of road that will allow her to visit her dressmaker at the other end of her island home.

She and the rest of the population on Kerrera, off Oban, hope that if a funding application is successful, the two ends of the island will finally be linked, ending the need for three ferry operations.

About half of the 33 residents live at the north end of the island, where Oban Marina is located. It is a hive of activity, particularly during the summer, with 100 pontoon berths for yachts and 30 moorings.

The other half of the population is in the south, which is served by a small ferry from Gallanach, just outside Oban, across the Sound of Kerrera.

With the capacity for one vehicle, the Gylen Lady is the nation's smallest car ferry. But only islanders, utilities and workmen can take their vehicles over.

It is operated by Duncan MacEachen who says: "The road is absolutely pivotal to the future of the island."

The planned route would be similar to a forestry road of a little over a mile. It is estimated it would cost somewhere between £600,000 and £1 million.

Argyll and Bute Council is now preparing a funding bid to the Treasury's Coastal Communities Fund, which is financed by the Crown Estate's marine revenues.

The proposed road will require the permission of four landowners, but all have indicated their support.

Moya Ingram, the council's strategic transportation manager, gave an update to councillors. She said: "There is currently no vehicle road link between the north and middle of Kerrera, and in effect this results in two separate communities, divided between the north and south of the island.

"Residents view the provision of a new road as a lifeline link due to concerns regarding existing access for emergency services and medical staff to the island. There are ten children living on the island, six of whom are under school age."

The four school pupils are at the north end of the island - two secondary and two primary. The island's primary school was closed in 1997, so all four are taken by boat every school day from the marina to Oban's North Pier.

This dedicated ferry service for pupils is funded by the council at a cost of £13,000 per annum by the council. A passenger service is also operated by Oban Marina to the north end, particularly for yachtsmen.

Crucially Transport Scotland sees a north-south road link on Kerrera "as a prerequisite to a long-term solution to ferry service provision that meets the needs of the whole island".

Aideen Gallagher, 32, arrived last year. She runs the Kerrera Tea Garden and Bunkhouse, near Gylen Castle, at the southern end of the island, with her partner, Martin Shields, 35, formerly of Camglen Radio, the community radio station serving Cambuslang and Rutherglen.

"It is about 45 minutes' walk here from the ferry from Gallanach. Hopefully there are going to be big improvements to our ferry service, but we need the road so that the whole island can benefit.

"It is just mad in this day and age that the two communities are separated.

"The postwoman, for example, has a special vehicle to drive across the farmland to deliver to the north end. The whole island is backing a road, 100%. I certainly want one. We are getting married on the island next year and the dressmaker who is making my dress lives on the north end. So I will have to be able to get up and down to see it."

Ms Gallagher said the road would vastly improve services on the island and offer increased opportunities for farms and businesses.