Dingwall is set to lose its final bank branch next spring, a move campaigners warn will leave local people and businesses struggling.
The Bank of Scotland has announced plans to close its Dingwall branch on March 25, 2026, sparking fears that residents in the town and surrounding rural areas will be left cut off from vital services.
Local MSP Kate Forbes has stepped in, writing directly to the bank’s bosses to plead for a rethink.
“This planned closure of the town’s last remaining bank branch is a real loss,” she said.
“Dingwall is a regional hub that rural communities depend on for essential services.
“It will hit older residents, people with disabilities, and households without reliable internet access the hardest.
“I have asked the Bank of Scotland to reconsider this decision.
“I hope they will work with the community to secure a sustainable solution that provides for the real needs of local people.”
The closure would mean Dingwall residents having to rely on services in other towns, or turn to online banking, an option critics say isn’t realistic for everyone.
Small, self-employed businesses are also expected to be badly affected, with many still relying on face-to-face banking.
The Bank of Scotland insists alternatives are available.
A spokesperson said:
“The way people are banking has changed, as more than ever, customers are choosing to manage their money through our app.
“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at free-to-use ATMs.
“Customers can also manage their money on our app, online or by calling us.”
The bank pointed to the High Street Post Office as a key replacement for over-the-counter services, and highlighted PayPoint locations in the town where customers can deposit cash using the mobile app.
The nearest free-to-use ATM, they added, is just a quarter of a mile away.
Despite this, many locals say digital alternatives cannot replace the personal service of a staffed branch, especially in a town like Dingwall, which serves as a lifeline for nearby villages.
Forbes’s intervention comes amid a wider trend of branch closures across Scotland, as banks push customers towards mobile services.
But campaigners argue the move risks leaving behind those least able to adapt.
