Time to retire after 50 years at Cairncross

After nearly 50 years of dedicated service at Cairncross of Perth, manager John Lochtie retired earlier this year.

Recently owner and chairman of the respected Fair City jewellers, Flora Rennie presented a gift to John to mark the occasion.

John began working at Cairncross in July 1972 after leaving school, having been offered an apprenticeship as a watchmaker.

He joined the team of three watchmakers working in a large attic room to the rear of the shop. After a year learning about and repairing clocks while studying part-time in Glasgow, John was permitted to work on watches in his second year, and graduated as a Fellow of the British Horological Institute on completing his apprenticeship.

In the mid 1980s, with technology moving at a pace and quartz watches becoming the norm, four watchmakers were no longer required in the workshop and John was offered a position in the retail side of the business in the front shop.

This meant a return to studying and a correspondence course in gemology.

In 1990, John was offered the position of manager, which he held until his retirement earlier this year.

Reflecting on five memorable decades, John commented: “Working so long for Cairncross meant that I saw many customers, which often led to meeting successive generations of their families.

“A unique and very enjoyable experience. I consider myself very lucky to have been employed for nearly 50 years at Cairncross and am grateful to my late employers Alistair and James Cairncross, and for the last 33 years, Flora Rennie.”