Mallard host Sean Kennedy set to bow out on Halloween as new tenants found for busy Dingwall pub

A FACE familiar to many in Ross-shire's county town is ready to pull his final pint – for now, at least.

Sean Kennedy is standing down from the Mallard after decades in the trade, previously at the Dingwall's National Hotel and in Strathpeffer.

New operators have finally been found to take over the busy pub based at the train station.

Mr Kennedy said: "Having stayed on at the pub for five months after my lease expired on June 1, it has now come to the time that I will be handing the reins of the pub over to new tenants.

"My last day at the pub will be this Sunday, October 31 and the new people, Richard and Angela, will be taking over on November 1.

"I am delighted that I have been able to stay on until new tenants where found, as for a time I genuinely thought that the pub was going to close down, with the loss of jobs for the staff and the loss of The Mallard to the local communities that it serves.

"The past five-and-a-half years have been a blast with some downs but mostly ups. I would like to thank all customers past and present and my fantastic team of staff for sharing this ride with me.

"So for now for me 'it's over and out'."

Tributes have flooded in, summed up by David Welch who posted: "You've been a true ambassador, not only to The Mallard but to real ale and the hospitality trade in around Dingwall."

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