A place like no other

Colleagues in Stornaway walked the historic ‘Postman’s Path’, one of Scotland’s most spectacular footpaths, in aid of the Hebridean Men’s Cancer Support Group.

An STV News team filmed the team and the footage was subsequently used on the STV North Tonight news programme.

The Postman’s Path starts on the outskirts of Rhenigidale - a tiny settlement on the east coast of Harris, in the Western Isles in Scotland. In 1990, Rhenigdale was the last UK village to be connected by road. It is situated eight kilometres east of Tarbert, at the western side of the entrance to Loch Seaforth.

The Postman’s Path symbolises Rhenigidale’s rich and tempestuous history. In the 1970s and 1980s, local postman Kenny Mackay, who still lives in the village, tramped the steep and winding path to Urgha and back three times a week with the post. Essential supplies were brought in by boat from Scalpay or sometimes from Maraig on the shores of Loch Seaforth.

When work began on the Rhenigidale road in 1989, it marked the triumph of a 60-year campaign by local residents. A place that had been settled with difficulty by crofters cleared from land on the west coast of Harris was saved from the fate of St Kilda and countless other abandoned settlements on the Outer Hebrides.

Stornaway delivery office manager, Kevin Clark, said: ‘The Postman’s Path is a remote but popular walking route that offers spectacular views on to Loch Trolamaraig, the Shiant Islands and Skye.

‘In years gone by the postman walked the six-kilometre route every day to empty one postbox and deliver mail to 12 houses. It wasn’t until 1990 when the new road opened, which made it a lot easier for the people that live there.

‘The Stornoway team walked for Hebridean Mens Cancer, as the charity looked after an ex-colleague recently and is hence close to everyone’s heart. The walk seemed the most fitting way to raise funds and bring attention to the charity.

‘The team had a great day as they saw a school of porpoises in Mollinginish Bay, and it was great fun being with the STV News reporters.’