Hundreds of local people milling about as if mourning the loss of an old friend.

Seeing that smouldering building that was Strachan's and each remembering a lifetimes association.

A sense of relief that no-one was seriously hurt mixed with a sense of genuine personal loss.

A home destroyed ,a shop destroyed, and with it a lifetime of serving the community.

A shop which provided us with everything, from the daily essentials, to the downright unusual.

A shop which would willingly deliver to those unable to travel, and would show a quiet generosity to many deserving local causes.

A shop which above all was a meeting place.

We live in an area where small businesses are our lifeblood and truly deserve our support.

I know that the Strachan family have taken great encouragement from the overwhelming goodwill expressed by word of mouth, cards and letters.

We all hope these will inspire them to plan for the future.

Don't let red tape and bureaucracy slow this process down because this community wants its shop back.

Yours etc
Wilson Forbes
Aboyne