Huge cheer for Ross Memorial Hospital stalwart after 44 years of service at Dingwall landmark
A POPULAR member of staff at a Ross-shire hospital received a rousing send off on his retiral after 44 years.
Iain Matheson joined the NHS on February 5, 1979 as a garden labourer based at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall.
As the years passed, this role evolved into the role of porter/groundsman where Iain would carry out portering duties for the services in Ross Memorial Hospital, Maywood, Ross Lodge, Dingwall Health Centre and also Moorfield, now a private house.
Ross Memorial Hospital's 150-year history is brought to book
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As part of Iain's role, on occasions, he would be tasked with going up to drop off prescription requests to the chemist.
Whilst out, he would take the opportunity to nip into Harry Gows for one of his beloved Dream Rings or to Fraser Brothers for his square sausage and macaroni, or to get a packet of chocolate caramels to hand out to folk on his rounds in the hospital.
Jenny McKenzie , Mid Ross business support manager, said: "Iain is a very humble local gent who enjoys his fishing and also enjoys supporting his local establishment The Conon Hotel on a Saturday night.
"Iain will be missed by all his colleagues past and present and this was evident with the loud cheer and applause he received at his tea party. One person noted that they had never heard such a cheer."
Look out for another photograph from Iain's farewell in this week's Ross-shire Journal.
