Black Isle brothers hang up smithy tools – but business will go on
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BROTHERS are hanging up their tools on a Black Isle family business after 67 years.
Leslie, Albert and John Smith of Leslie Smith and Co have sold the Smiddy Blacksmiths in Balblair to a "young man" who has worked alongside them for 15 years.
Previously owned by the brothers' father, Albert said it was time to pass over the reins to their colleague.
Albert said: "I have not worked for my entire career here, but I did come back 35 years ago to work in the blacksmiths, so yes we have been here a long time. But my brothers have been here longer.
"Leslie has already retired and it was time for me to do the same."
Albert explained that after working alongside Witold 'Vitek' Maslyk for some 15 years, he has now bought the business. John will stay on to work alongside Mr Maslyk, but hopes to retire himself in the next few years.
Albert continued: "It is a mixed bag working in the smiddy, lots of different things to do.
"At one time we did some of the more traditional things such as shoes for horses, but it is a young man's game and one of the boys who used to work with us took that part of the business over.
"We focussed on other areas of fabrication and we worked with agricultural machinery for farming, forestry work and fishing boats. One of the projects we worked on was fabricating parts for the salmon farming helicopter. In fact, we would do practically anything that involved metal.
"It has been a very interesting job for us all.
"We have had a lot of customers over the years and we have enjoyed our time."
In his retirement Albert says he plans to "enjoy himself" but admits his plans to escape to warmer climates has had to be put on hold due to the current coronavirus restrictions.
He added: "I have bits and pieces I can do from home and I have some ideas that I would like to get into when I finally get retired."
