Seven members of the High Life Highland library team have been recognised for their remarkable long service, together clocking up an extraordinary 210 years supporting readers and communities across the region.
The group were celebrated at a special event in Inverness earlier this week where staff from across the charity gathered to mark careers that have shaped local libraries for decades.
Among the longest serving is mobile library driver Alistair Sinclair who has spent 45 years bringing books and services to some of the most remote parts of the Highlands.
Head of Libraries Julie Corcoran also reached a major milestone with 35 years of service having first started work at Inverness Library in 1990.
She said:
“It’s amazing that we have clocked up over 200 years service between us, it goes to show what a great environment and organisational culture we have here and of course, everyone knows that libraries are great places to work!”
Another colleague marking 35 years is Linda Moore who works at Kinlochleven Library.
In Thurso, librarian Ruan Peat has reached 30 years while Judi Wiseman Cairns in Mallaig is celebrating 25 years of dedicated service.
The Dingwall Library team is also part of the achievement with both Linda Martin and Susan Kruse marking 20 years each supporting local readers.
All seven were honoured alongside long serving colleagues from across High Life Highland at an afternoon tea hosted by Board member David Finlayson at the Bught Park Pavilion.
The celebration recognised more than 30 members of staff who have reached career milestones of between 20 and 45 years.
The event reflected the depth of experience across the organisation which supports libraries, archives, museums, leisure facilities, countryside services, music development and sport.
High Life Highland chief executive Steve Walsh said:
“It is absolutely wonderful to see all our staff at High Life Highland recognised for their dedication to the organisation and the hard work that they do making life better for people in the Highlands.
“For seven members of the library team to reach a combined total of 210 years is quite incredible.”
The library service continues to be one of the charity’s most valued areas of work with teams supporting everything from children’s reading activities and literacy development to digital access, community events and mobile library routes.
High Life Highland was established by The Highland Council in 2011 as an arm’s length organisation responsible for seven services previously managed directly by the local authority.
The long service celebration offered a moment to reflect not only on individual careers but on the central role libraries have played across Highland communities for generations.
With so much experience within the team, the organisation says the commitment shown by these staff members has helped shape a service that continues to evolve while keeping its sense of community at the heart of everything it does.
