The owners of a shop in Boat of Garten, which had a substantial amount of money stolen on Boxing Day, have spoken of their “disbelief” about the incident.
Police have launched an appeal for information into the matter, which has shocked shop owners, Sue and David Dow, after they were robbed of a four-figure sum, believed to be between £2,000 and £3,000.
The couple run Dows Stores, along with their son Fraser, in the village and have done so for the past five-and-a-half years.
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The store is attached to The Osprey Cafe, also run by the family, with a range of items from hardware to clothing, as well as food items.
Mrs Dow said: “We were open from 10am to 4pm and it was very busy. As far as we are aware, somebody has come into the back shop and stolen the money as it was in a payment bag through there.
“It was shortly before 4, around about the close of business, that we noticed the money was missing. We are just gutted and in disbelief. It is a lot of money.”
Police in Aviemore are investigating the incident with officers pleading to anybody in the area with information to come forward.
Mrs Dow added: “We have no idea who it could have been. We get a lot of visitors to the area at this time of year, so we are unsure if this was somebody local or a stranger who has just been an opportunist.
“Nothing like this has ever happened. We are just in total disbelief that this could happen to us. We are one of the few shops that opened on Boxing Day and we only really opened so that people had a place to go.
“It is all still sinking in.”
Sergeant Steven Maclennan said: “We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have seen anyone carrying a red banking bag in the area of the shop on Boxing Day.
“Anyone with information, even if it may have seemed of little note at the time, is asked to call Police Scotland on 101.”
