John the Post's dedication rewarded

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Bettyhill man is made an OBE for going that extra mile to deliver the mail in north Sutherland

By Iain Grant

Published: 31/12/2010

A north Sutherland postman was stunned to learn of his inclusion in the New Year Honours.

John Mackay’s OBE recognises the extra miles he has gone to ensure the mail is delivered in one of the biggest and most sparsely-populated Royal Mail rounds in the country.

Mr Mackay, 63, had a brief spell as a trainee joiner before starting his unbroken 44-and-a-half year spell as a postman.

His day begins with an early morning drive to meet the mail van 21 miles away at Kinbrace.

He then delivers along Strathnaver before visiting the crofting townships of Skelpick and Achina, finishing up in his home village of Bettyhill, 26 miles west of Thurso.

Known throughout the area as John the Post, he regularly goes out of his way to take milk, medicines and other messages to elderly people on his rounds.

Even if he does not have mail he regularly pops in to check that pensioners living alone are fine, or to have a chat with them.

He said: “There are a few who live by themselves who maybe don’t see anybody for days on end unless we look in on them.”

Mr Mackay was typically unfazed about the recent prolonged cold snap when he soldiered on in conditions that brought the town and city dwellers to a standstill.

He said: “The weather we have just had is nothing compared to what we used to get when I began as a postie.

“It was far worse then – the snow was a lot deeper and the cold spells lasted a fair bit longer.

“I suppose people were a lot more self-reliant then and were better equipped for dealing with bad weather.”

Mr Mackay, who runs a croft at Newlands, Bettyhill, has no plans to retire, and is looking forward to making the trip to London to pick up his honour.

He is the second Bettyhill postman to feature in the New Year Honours.

His former colleague, John Kenneth Mackay, was made a MBE in the 1996 list, two years before he died.

Bettyhill resident James MacKay, who is no relation, said: “I am very pleased to hear that John the Post has been honoured and I am sure the rest of the community is too.

“He is a very good postie and goes that wee bit further to help people in the community. Many people would not have had their mail before Christmas if it wasn’t for his efforts.”


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[Lounge Lizard]

"Even if he does not have mail he regularly pops in to check that pensioners living alone are fine, or to have a chat with them." Aye, that's life north of the border, still time for all the civilised pleasantries of yesteryear, another world really. Make the most of it before privatisation changes everything.

[Lincox]

Ooch Hay theres a lot of those Mckays in that village?????

[Broxi51]

P&L coming soon

After a new revision was bunged in at Bettyhill near Thurso it was decided to take back the OBE
from the postie, Mr Mackay, after most of his customers died of starvation and lack of medical supplies.
Mr Mackay and his fellow postie Mr Mackay (No relation), had just rowed back from Orkney which had
been added to his round when he was informed of this decision.
"Och weel, I dinna ken whit tae believe loon? I've nae seen ma lass for 3 months as the roond still
has some teething problems and i'm noo working 24 hours a day but they say it's cos I'm too slow
and it should nae tak anymore than 8 hours." he muttered before loading his HCT and heading off
into the darkness.

[arnold cheshire]

as if a postie has time to do that most dont have time to go toilet

[guvenor]

if that was a normal postie on town duty they would be trying to sack them on performance issues