GRATEFUL residents of a Ross-shire community have shown their appreciation for the local workers providing a lifeline to locals during the coronavirus lockdown.

The surprise appearance of flowers and messages of thanks chalked on walls proved to be a pleasant surprise for some of Cromarty's local heroes on Monday after activists – careful to observe social distancing – shared their feelings.

Doorways decorated with jam jars galore brimming with flowers, a fence draped with knitted bunting and cards, chalk messages, gifts and yarn-bombed stones were used to convey the sense of goodwill extended to staff who have risked their own health to continue to work to ensure everyone in town is supplied with all they need.

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Cromarty Stores has worked with volunteers from the Cromarty Care Project to enable delivery of supplies to vulnerable people self-isolating in the town. Volunteers are also delivering papers.

A box in the bus shelter was filled by the community with Easter gifts and Easter cards made by children to go into the deliveries.

The Post Office, The Cheese Shop and Cromarty Bakery are also operating with coronavirus restrictions in place. The local restaurant, Sutor Creek, and pub, The Cromarty Arms, are doing take-away or delivery of cooked meals.

Estelle Quick, the post mistress, said: “Thank you very much for the flowers and other lovely things left at the Post Office door last night. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this community.”

Jon Palmer from The Cheese Housesaid: “This is why we love where we stay and run our business.”

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