Are postcard greetings a thing of the past? Saffron Coffield and Mark Davey editor@campbeltowncourier.co.uk

Andrew Wallace, 21, is a sales assistant in Cadenhead’s Whiskey Shop, though he had an opposing view on postcards. He said: ‘We do not sell many postcards, I think that this is because people are using social media instead’. He also admitted: ‘I have never sent a postcard. It’s a thing of the past and we are heading into a paperless world. ‘I think that this may be a good thing.’ When asked about his view on the future demand of postcards, and if he believes that more people should purchase them, Mr McMillan laughed and said: ‘They certainly should because I’d make more money.’ All postcard images are used with permission of the copyright holders. photographer and postcard printer, based at Ardnamurchan and said that the days when he used to print a million cards a year are long gone. Mr MacGregor added: ‘However, many of the big players have left the market, leaving us specialists. ‘If they are unusual of striking images, tourists will often buy cards, not to post but to remember their trips. ‘We have a herd of Highland cattle and they are certainly cash cows for featuring in many postcards.’ In 2001, before 9/11, one of Mr MacGregor’s cards was sent to a banker at Morgan Stanley. It was found among the wreckage of the World Trade Centre’s twin towers and posted back to Ardnamurchan by a New York fireman. sentimental appeal and collectability. ‘Some 60 per cent of people who receive postcards keep them on display. ‘Two in 10 do so for six months to a year or longer. More than six in 10 claim to have kept at least one of the postcards they’ve received over the years.’ A spokesperson for Lyrical Scotland, which produces Mr McMillan’s best-selling card, said: ‘Similarly to Royal Mail, we have seen a steady increase in our postcard sales to retailers, which we attribute to refreshing and modernising our designs and images. ‘We continue to focus on both popular places of interest and the more unusual and interesting views and vistas of Scotland.’ Michael McGregor is a He said: ‘The reason for this is because of the price of postage – it’s too much.’ Despite the decrease in sales, Mr McMillan stated that on a busy day he could sell as many as ‘a dozen postcards’. ‘Our best-seller is the one of Davaar island, which is mainly sold to tourists in Campbeltown,’ he added. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘As Great Britain’s seaside towns enjoy a revival new Royal Mail research sees the picture postcard chosen as the item that Scots think is most likely to see a resurgence in popularity, alongside fountain pens, calligraphy and love letters. ‘Eight in 10 Scots would prefer to receive a postcard from a holidaying friend or family member over a social media message, due to their Kintrye is renowned for its picturesque landscape. It is traditional among many tourists to send back a picture-postcard to loved ones, which in most cases depict a landmark or mesmerising scenery. A recent study conducted by the Royal Mail shows that many Scots would like to see a revival of postcards being sent and delivered. The study also claims that most Scots would prefer to receive a postcard rather than an instant message through a mobile phone. Campbeltown shop owner George McMillan admitted that in his past 42 years of retail experience, he has seen a decline in the sale of postcards.