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Fond farewell as Golspie High School technician (72) retires after 48 years with education service


By Caroline McMorran

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Golspie High School has said a fond farewell to a long-serving member of staff.

Technician Peter McRae has retired at the age of 72 after working in the education service for nearly half a century.

School technician Peter McRae is leaving the classroom behind after nearly 50 years with the education service.
School technician Peter McRae is leaving the classroom behind after nearly 50 years with the education service.

Staff held a socially distanced, outdoor tea party in his honour before the school broke up for the Christmas holidays.

Technical teacher David Roberts, who worked closely with Mr McRae over the last seven years, paid tribute to him, saying: “Peter is such a lovely man and has been a truly fantastic workhorse in his job.

“He never wants a fuss, but we wanted to recognise all that he has done in the past 48 years working for Highland Council.”

Originally from Busby, outside Glasgow, Mr McRae moved to East Sutherland as a young man.

He began working with Golspie Motors in 1968 and qualified as a mechanic at night school,

In 1973 he took up a post as a technician for Sutherland schools based at the former technical school at Drummuie - now Highland Council’s area headquarters.

He was responsible for the machinery and equipment at Helmsdale, Brora, Golspie, Dornoch and Bettyhill schools. A technician is also in charge of cutting materials such as wood and metal for the students.

When the technical school closed around 2000, Mr McRae moved to work at the newly built technical department at Golspie High School.

As well as working as a technician, he also made himself available when required to drive school transport.

In the last few years, Mr McRae has been working a three day week.

Married for 53 years to Meg, he lives in Golspie.

The couple have three adult children, all of whom live locally, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

After such a long working life, Mr McRae is now looking forward to having more time to relax.

Time for a brew: Technical teacher David Roberts with Mr McRae.
Time for a brew: Technical teacher David Roberts with Mr McRae.
Mr McRae began working as a technician for Sutherland schools in 1973.
Mr McRae began working as a technician for Sutherland schools in 1973.
Part of a technician's job is to cut materials such as wood and metal for students.
Part of a technician's job is to cut materials such as wood and metal for students.

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