A name synonymous with Nairn’s high street and the wider Highland travel trade is set to disappear.
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MacRae’s Travel, which has been in its current location opposite the town Courthouse since the 1960s, has closed its doors for a final time.
Owner Calum Grant died in December last year and the premises will soon go on the market.
Accounts manager, Shona Devine, and colleague Iona Nicoll have been winding the business down.
“It’s a sad day for Nairn and the tourism sector in the Highlands generally,” Ms Devine said.
“I’ve worked here for 33 years and enjoyed every minute of it. It’ll be another empty shop front on the High Street sadly.
“Calum had a lot of contacts in business and our client base really was worldwide.
“It’s one of the longest-running independent travel agents in the Highlands.
“The office was always busy and at one time we had six staff. But people often popped in just to have a chat with Calum and the subject would inevitably turn to football.
“He was a sponsor with Nairn County Football Club and I became involved in the club through Calum and have been looking after their books ever since.”
Mr Grant previously played for Ross County, Lincoln City and Clachnacuddin FC.
He was instrumental, with other business figures, in saving Clachnacuddin from closure when it got into financial difficulties.
He had worked at the former Duncan Duffy Travel Agents in Queensgate, Inverness, and also helped run MacRae’s Travel before taking it over in 1973.
Former employee, Sheena Matheson, said: “When he took over the business from the MacRaes they were mainly selling coach tours, cruises and bus trips.
"Calum was always one to take on a challenge and when he got the necessary licences he developed MacRae’s Travel into a fully-fledged travel agency," she added.
