After 44 years the Irvine family made way for new postmaster
Newtonmore Post Office is ‘under new management’ after the departure of the Irvine family who tended it so dedicatedly for 44 years.
But it’s hardly strangers who have moved it. Shirley Campbell is Newtonmore through and through, while fellow shop assistant Alan Sellar is a Laggan man just as long in the Badenoch ‘tooth’.
The new postmaster, too, is hardly unknown here after years of working with the local public in one establishment or anther. Born to shopkeeping, Ken Tait was a hugely popular presence for years on Kingussie High Street through his Trading Post up until the early 2000s.
In his long service to the strath he has spent time at the Highland Wildlife Park manning the gate, cooking at Loch Insh Sailing School’s restaurant briefly and latterly running the Post Box after taking on Iona Malcolm’s Grassroots and its post office counter.
“Of all the things I’ve done I’ve enjoyed shopkeeping the most and this was a very rational move, to take over from Graeme at Newtonmore and link the two. We have modified the counter there and have had a very busy first week. I’m delighted to say it’s going well.”
The six-day PO shares the opening hours of the village shop in Newtonmore and for reference those are:
9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
“Everyone welcome!” said Mr Tait.
Picture: Aidan Woods.
