Hamish the Post Retires
From Moriston Matters, Issue 20, August 1980.
Hamishes Last Round
(WHEN THOSE ON WHOM HE CALLED FOR SO LONG CAME TO CALL ON HIM).
On August 15th, for the second time this summer, the community gathered in the Hall to show their appreciation of long service rendered to them. This time it was thirty-three years of faithful postal delivery and Hamish, along with Mollie, looking a very young "senior citizen" was the centre figure in the evening's celebration. The idea behind the evening grew from a spontaneous meeting of the people of Glenmoriston held in the Hall on July 3rd after it had become known that Hamish would retire on August 1st.
A large number of artistes sustained a varied programme under the able chairmanship of Mr Arkle Fraser - Mrs MacRae, Shona Robertson, Mrs MacLeod, Doig MacKintosh and Alastair Campbell (Fort Augustus) and Donnie MacKay, the Highlander (Glenshiel) - songs; Fiona MacKintosh (Smithton) - dances; Mrs Cameron (Fort Augustus) - recitations; James Lennie (Fort Augustus) – piping selections; Donnie MacKenzie (Beauly) - violin and saxophone items; John Grant, Billy Calder (Fort William), Jim MacLennan (Beauly), the' Highlander and Arkle himself - accordion selections. The Highlander also entertained the company with impersonations of well-known singers and with stories.
In the course of the proceedings Mr Fraser called on Mr. D. Francey of the G.P.O. Inverness - who was accompanied by his wife - and he spoke of Hamish's exemplary record of service over his thirty-three years as postman for the first twenty-three by bicycle on the Invermoriston round and for the last ten by van as far as Cluanie. He then handed over a handsome tea-trolley with best wishes from the Post Office and a valediction signed by Mr Dennis Roberts C.B.E. amid hearty applause.
Then Mr Fraser called on the Rev. Peter Fraser to speak on behalf of the local community, not one of whom but is indebted at some time to the postman, and throughout the many changes since 1947 Hamish had brought us news, often happy, sometimes sad, and always delivered with the same courtesy and cheerfulness. He asked Mrs MacWilliarns to hand over the gifts - two armchairs and a gold wrist watch - and in making the presentation Bessie wished Hamish and Mollie many happy years to enjoy them. These wishes were warmly endorsed by all present. Hamish in reply, expressed his heartfelt thanks and said how much he had enjoyed his work.
Then tea was served by a band of ladies, and when all were satisfied, the programme continued with dancing interspersed with the other items. At about 1 a.m. the party came to an end with the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow" and "Auld Lang Syne" and the people dispersed after yet one more memorable evening in the Hall.
M.E.F. (Margaret Fraser)
In an interview with "Moriston Matters" Mr Duncan Francey, Head Postmaster of Inverness, said that Hamish had been very popular with his customers. He had only once been late for work - this was about three years ago when a power cut stopped his electric alarm clock and he slept in. Although he was excused on that occasion the incident was hardly noticed. Most people felt that he had been chatting to his customers more than usual that day.
"Moriston Matters" would like to take this opportunity of adding their best wishes for future health and happiness to Hamish and Mollie.
Hamish the Post was born at Levishie Cottage, son of Peter MacMillan and his wife, Margaret who belonged to Inverness. The MacMillans were an Achnaconeran family for several generations and (4 words illegible) Hamish’s grandfather, Duncan, the Estate keeper, was never in Inverness, finding contentment in the hills all his days, and indeed the view from the door of the old home, the farthest west of the Achnaconeran crofts, looking out up the Glen and beyond to the distant mountains would be hard to surpass. Peter followed in Duncan’s footsteps and became head keeper on the Estate also, and until a few years before his death was able to tramp through the hills which he knew like the back of his hand. Peter and Margaret were a worthy couple and it was given to them to celebrate their golden wedding in 1964.
Hamish, however, took a different line and after a few years about Invermoriston he went to work during the war for the Board of Trade in the timber at Croy and elsewhere. When he became postman in 1947 he was a popular successor to Roddie Fullarton who himself had been popular on the road for many years. The Royal Mail was only part of the "news" he carried to his customers, for the Post Office rules and regulations do not exclude the "Bush Telegraph" and many a helpful piece of local information or vital link in the village arrangements was secured through Hamish's willing co-operation.
He would do anything he could to help his "customers", and once he took over the Glen round he found all sorts of additional "lines" added to his "stock-in-trade" - milk, groceries, school requisites, and many other eagerly awaited items were safely handed over.
He would also stop for a few minutes and pass the time of day - he liked to "keep them all happy" - but before spending too long he would be "bashing on" to the next house. He was knowledgeable of all the families, long standing and more recent newcomers alike, and even the dogs were his friends - he never had any trouble with them. On the two occasions when he was off work for a lengthy spell owing to illness it was with much thankfulness that the people saw him restored to health and fit for duty again, and now that he has the ordering of his time himself, we wish him many years of leisured activity with Mollie and the family.