This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8004284.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Without the bus, I'm snookered' 'Without the bus, I'm snookered'
(4 days later)
A vital public transport link in the Highlands ends on Friday. Post buses carry passengers as well as mail, often where there is no transport alternative.A vital public transport link in the Highlands ends on Friday. Post buses carry passengers as well as mail, often where there is no transport alternative.
But the Royal Mail says five of the routes cost too much money to run and must be scrapped.But the Royal Mail says five of the routes cost too much money to run and must be scrapped.
The BBC's Scotland correspondent, James Cook, followed one of the post buses which runs from Torridon to Applecross on the Wester Ross peninsula.The BBC's Scotland correspondent, James Cook, followed one of the post buses which runs from Torridon to Applecross on the Wester Ross peninsula.
The postal buses are seen as ideal transport for remote communitiesThe postal buses are seen as ideal transport for remote communities
From the picnic tables of the Applecross Inn, the view across the bay is breathtaking. The water shimmers in the spring sunshine. In the hazy distance, the jagged Cuillins slice up from the Isle of Skye.From the picnic tables of the Applecross Inn, the view across the bay is breathtaking. The water shimmers in the spring sunshine. In the hazy distance, the jagged Cuillins slice up from the Isle of Skye.
At the bar, tourists and locals jostle politely. It's lunchtime and the orders are flying: scallops in garlic, haddock and chips, pints of prawns.At the bar, tourists and locals jostle politely. It's lunchtime and the orders are flying: scallops in garlic, haddock and chips, pints of prawns.
This, surely, is the life.This, surely, is the life.
Maybe. Judith Fish has owned the inn for twenty years. Every room is booked out for the next six weeks. Her hostelry's reputation extends far beyond these rugged shores. But even she reckons life here is tougher than it looks.Maybe. Judith Fish has owned the inn for twenty years. Every room is booked out for the next six weeks. Her hostelry's reputation extends far beyond these rugged shores. But even she reckons life here is tougher than it looks.
"Applecross is a very fragile community" she tells me. "We've been fighting for our local petrol station, the post office, the village store, housing... we're very successful in encouraging visitors to come here, yet have to fight for every service and every part of community life that other people take for granted.""Applecross is a very fragile community" she tells me. "We've been fighting for our local petrol station, the post office, the village store, housing... we're very successful in encouraging visitors to come here, yet have to fight for every service and every part of community life that other people take for granted."
And now the community is squaring up for a new fight.And now the community is squaring up for a new fight.
Without the post bus, I'm snookered. It's the only way I can get back and forth to the shop Roj MacCuishWithout the post bus, I'm snookered. It's the only way I can get back and forth to the shop Roj MacCuish
Six days a week a little red post van traces the coast of the Wester Ross peninsula, twisting and turning along a single strip of tarmac. From high up in the hills you can watch the red dot rising and falling - up hill and down glen.Six days a week a little red post van traces the coast of the Wester Ross peninsula, twisting and turning along a single strip of tarmac. From high up in the hills you can watch the red dot rising and falling - up hill and down glen.
But look a little closer and you see it isn't just mail this postie delivers. He takes people too. This is the Torridon to Applecross post bus, one of seven running routes in the Highlands.But look a little closer and you see it isn't just mail this postie delivers. He takes people too. This is the Torridon to Applecross post bus, one of seven running routes in the Highlands.
From today, five of those will stop.From today, five of those will stop.
The others are Shieldaig to Kishorn; Diabaig to Achnasheen; Thurso to Tongue; and Bettyhill to Thurso.The others are Shieldaig to Kishorn; Diabaig to Achnasheen; Thurso to Tongue; and Bettyhill to Thurso.
Between the five, they carried 3,122 passengers last year.Between the five, they carried 3,122 passengers last year.
One of those passengers is Roj MacCuish. He lives in the tiny village of Kenmore, seven miles from his nearest shop in Shieldaig. He is unable to drive. For Roj, it's the post bus - or a 14 mile walk for a pint of milk.One of those passengers is Roj MacCuish. He lives in the tiny village of Kenmore, seven miles from his nearest shop in Shieldaig. He is unable to drive. For Roj, it's the post bus - or a 14 mile walk for a pint of milk.
When we catch up with him, Roj is finishing his morning half pint, which does not consist of milk. His greying hair flops out from a brown bonnet. He wears an Arran sweater and a wry smile.When we catch up with him, Roj is finishing his morning half pint, which does not consist of milk. His greying hair flops out from a brown bonnet. He wears an Arran sweater and a wry smile.
Some locals rely on the buses to get to their nearest shopSome locals rely on the buses to get to their nearest shop
In a gentle Highland lilt he tells me of his predicament.In a gentle Highland lilt he tells me of his predicament.
"Without the postbus, I'm snookered" he says. "It's the only way I can get back and forth to the shop."Without the postbus, I'm snookered" he says. "It's the only way I can get back and forth to the shop.
"The closest shop is Shieldaig and that's the way I got up this morning.""The closest shop is Shieldaig and that's the way I got up this morning."
So why are these services ending? The post buses were supported by a subsidy which was paid to the Royal Mail by Highland Council.So why are these services ending? The post buses were supported by a subsidy which was paid to the Royal Mail by Highland Council.
Last year that was £12,871.61. This year the Royal Mail asked for £35,300. It was a big jump but councillors insist they were prepared to consider it. The Royal Mail, they claim, wasn't interested.Last year that was £12,871.61. This year the Royal Mail asked for £35,300. It was a big jump but councillors insist they were prepared to consider it. The Royal Mail, they claim, wasn't interested.
A report by the council's director of transport, environmental and community services reads: "The Royal Mail has refused repeated requests for a meeting between council officials and their managers."A report by the council's director of transport, environmental and community services reads: "The Royal Mail has refused repeated requests for a meeting between council officials and their managers."
That's denied by the Royal Mail. They issued a statement which said: "We have had numerous discussions with them.That's denied by the Royal Mail. They issued a statement which said: "We have had numerous discussions with them.
"All the routes being withdrawn have very low passenger numbers and the subsidies available do not make them financially viable."All the routes being withdrawn have very low passenger numbers and the subsidies available do not make them financially viable.
"Our first priority (is) the collection and delivery of mail.""Our first priority (is) the collection and delivery of mail."
At the end of the road in Applecross, there's plenty of anger - and a nagging fear about what will happen next.At the end of the road in Applecross, there's plenty of anger - and a nagging fear about what will happen next.
If the scheduled post bus services go, the locals wonder, will deliveries be cut next? The villagers accuse the Royal Mail of preferring profit to public service.If the scheduled post bus services go, the locals wonder, will deliveries be cut next? The villagers accuse the Royal Mail of preferring profit to public service.
Applecross still looks like paradise on earth but today life here will get just a little bit tougher.Applecross still looks like paradise on earth but today life here will get just a little bit tougher.