A much loved cat is retiring from a Highland post office role after 22 years because the business is switching to a supermarket.
Flash has been adored by locals and visitors alike at the Lochinver branch since he was adopted by its owner – and took up a regular position on the counter.
Post mistress Anne Macleod, 61, said she was relishing the chance of her first holiday for 23 years thanks to the move but would not be taking the feline with her to the new counter.
She said: “He likes people and hundreds of visitors come every year, looking to see if Flash is still with me.
“The move will safeguard the future of the post office.
“They wanted it to be more sustainable, with longer hours and things I couldn’t do. There was no way I could open seven days a week.
“Initially, it was quite a shock but I’ll get my life back again. It’s a change of lifestyle for me but I’ll get a holiday for the first time in 23 years because there are other people to help run the office.”
The switch of branches happens next Monday lunchtime.
“The staff in the shop are lovely and it’ll be a big transition for them but they’ll get there – and I’ll be back on duty after a week off in June,” Miss Macleod said.
Her parents ran the post office branch from 1966, succeeding the only other family that had run it since it opened in 1896.
Flash is retiring to the comfort of his owner’s home.