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A Sutherland businessman and postmaster is marking a diamond milestone.
Eight-three-year-old Alisdair Mackenzie better known as Sandy, is celebrating 60 years at the helm of Rogart Post Office.
He has been presented with a Post Office Long Service Award in recognition of his work over the decades.
Post Office area manager Louise Duff said very few postmasters reached their diamond jubilee.
“I would like to sincerely thank Sandy for serving post office customers in Rogart for 60 years. It is an amazing achievement,” she said.
A Rogart native, Sandy, who wanted to run his own business, took on the post office in 1964 after working for the Bank of Scotland for a few years.
He initially ran it from a couple of rented rooms in the Cross House in Rogart, from where he also sold stationery and basic goods.
Sandy and his wife Marjorie then built new premises opposite the Cross House to house not only the post office but also a village shop. The post office and shop have remained there to this day.
“Over the 60 years there have been many laughs, great memories and obviously some sad times. Our regular summer visitors are amazed to find me still behind the counter each year” said Sandy, who has also served as a Justice of the Peace and on the management committees of several local organisations. In the pre-digital years he helped local crofters with form filling, VAT and tax returns.
The post office and shop remained open during the coronavirus pandemic but Royal Mail, which leased space in the building for a sorting office, pulled out.
Mr Mackenzie said the area had changed since the Covid crisis.
“The area is changing. Since Covid more people are working from home and people have moved from urban areas down south to enjoy this rural, peaceful location,” he said
He thanked the staff who had supported him in the post office and shop over the years.
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