Moira Kerr The tourism boom on the isle of Mull which followed in the wake of the popular children's TV programme Balamory is starting to wane. The BBC show was cancelled in 2005.

Moira Kerr

The tourism boom on the isle of Mull which followed in the wake of the popular children's TV programme Balamory is starting to wane. The BBC show was cancelled in 2005.

Mull and Iona Chamber of Commerce members reported at their July meeting that, as fuel prices continue to rise, many businesses are experiencing a drop in trade.

Sandy Brunton, chamber president, said: "I think it would be fair to say that most of the tourism-based businesses are really starting to feel the pinch. We are hearing that some of the bookings are really quite patchy."

As well as enjoying the benefits of Balamory, which led to a wave of "pester power" tourists as youngsters persuaded their parents to visit the set of the show, tourist businesses on Mull are thought to have gained extra visitors via the large number of wildlife programmes filmed on the island.

Charles Pease, who runs Kinloch Hotel, on Mull, said trade had been quieter than usual and added: "It is a matter of concern but now is going to be the acid test, with the schools breaking up for the summer holidays.

"We will see the impact on people with families, who are already impacted by the credit squeeze, mortgage issues and the cost of motoring.

"I don't think the season is going to die, I just think it will be a slow one."

A spokeswoman for Caledonian MacBrayne said ferry traffic from Oban to Mull was slightly down on this time last year, but added that 2007 had been an exceptionally good year and other routes were also experiencing a downturn.