The Royal Bank of Scotland is to close hundreds of branches across the UK.
One in three Scottish branches will close, with a total of 62 shutting their doors early early next year. In total, 158 jobs will be lost.
The closures stretch from as far north as Tongue, Wick, Aviemore and Grantown to Banff, Ellon, Huntly, Bridge of Don and Dyce.
North communities furious over RBS plans to close raft of local branches
Highland Perthshire is also affected, with Aberfeldy and Pitlochry in line to close.
And residents of Barra now face having to get a ferry, followed by a 30-minute drive, anytime they want to do face-to-face banking.
Today, the Press and Journal and Courier are launching a joint campaign calling on RBS to rethink the closures, which will leave just 89 branches in Scotland.
Spotty Bag Shop owner says RBS closure in Banff “devastating blow”
Politicians have already rallied against the proposals, which bank chiefs stress are a result in falling customer numbers due to an increase in online banking.
A spokesman said only 1% of customers are regularly banking in person, with most customers now using the internet.
He said: “As customers change the way they bank with us, we must change the way that we serve them and this means that some branches will have to close.”
But last night, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Lesley Laird warned many places had already been left behind in the provision of mobile and broadband services – meaning customers could suffer.
She said: “These closures by RBS, on the back of cuts announced earlier this week by Bank of Scotland, will create even more banking deserts.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said the “devastating” decision was “simply not acceptable” and that he is seeking an urgent meeting with RBS chief executive Ross McEwan.
“He must think again,” he said. “The list hits small towns and remote locations – including the area I represent – particularly badly.
“RBS has a duty to its customers because they were bailed out by the taxpayer so they really cannot repay our communities by withdrawing from them. This has to be stopped.”
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil, SNP, said: “If RBS continue these proposed savage cuts across the country they should drop Scotland from their name as they would be trading under a very false impression.”
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone, Lib Dem, said: “If we are trying to regenerate the far north, the closure of Tain, Wick and Tongue flies in the face of this.”
He was echoed by deputy first minister and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, and Perth MP Pete Wishart.
Mr Swinney said RBS “must reconsider”, adding: “It’s unacceptable RBS plan to have no branches in Highland Perthshire, with proposed closures in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy.”
Mr Wishart warned the closures would “contribute further to the withering of amenities in our town and city centres”.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, SNP, urged people to support the New Deer branch – which has been given a reprieve – but added: “Access in rural areas to banking services are a lifeline, particularly for the older generation. It must be ensured that residents, particularly from an older generation, are not disadvantaged by the closures and that they will still have access to face-to-face contact from banking staff.”
Gordon MP Colin Clark, Conservative, said: “The last thing the north-east needs at the moment is more people out of work.”
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson, SNP, said the closure of Banff branch was a blow so soon after the Clydesdale’s decision to pull out the town, and said he would be pushing to ensure an ATM remains.
RBS last night insisted they were providing customers with “more ways to bank than ever before”, and stressed a fleet of 20 mobile branches would be in operation.
The spokesman added: “As customers continue to change the way they bank with us, we must change the way we serve them, so we are investing in our more popular branches and shaping our network, replacing traditional bricks-and-mortar branches with alternative ways to bank, including community bankers, mobile banks on wheels and post offices, so that we can reach even more customers.”
