The end of honesty
Trusting shop in remote Knoydart locks up cash box after theft No2
WHEN an honesty box to pay for local produce was set up on one of the Highlands’ remotest estates, its owners expected customers to be as wholesome as the food on offer.
But some visitors to the Kilchoan Estate Farm Shop appear to lack the necessary moral fibre after it emerged that the collection box has been cleaned out by thieves twice in a matter of months.
Now estate managers have confirmed that use of the honesty box is being drastically curtailed and the store – previously open 24 hours a day – will have to shut when staff leave after work.
The shop opened in May last year on the Knoydart peninsula, which is referred to as ‘Britain’s last wilderness’ and accessible only by boat or an 18mile walk over mountainous country.
One of only three stores on Knoydart, it was hailed as a boon to the 100 or so locals and dozens of tourists who flock to the designated National Scenic Area. It had been open all hours to allow people access to a range of food supplies, essentials and local crafts.
A spokesman for the estate, which also rents out holiday accommodation, said the honesty box – an old wine crate – was still in operation but the unmanned shop would close at night. She said: ‘The shop is next to the estate office, which is staffed during the day. It is really sad what has happened.
‘Staying open all the time was handy for people that walked in late. It was well used.’
She added: ‘It is surprising how many people come here. We have a lot of holiday homes in the area too and it was also well used by locals. The first theft was a couple of months ago and we think £40 to £50 has been taken each time. It was probably a tourist and it is such a shame.’
From now on, the shop will open only between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday and by special arrangement at weekends. The estate said it had decided not to report the thefts to police because the likelihood of catching the culprits was small.
However, the thefts have caused shock in an area where criminality is a rarity – and further afield – and many took to social media to vent their anger. Mike Lewis wrote: ‘That’s awful. You run a super shop for us visitors. People should respect you. The few ruin it for the rest of us! Really sad!’
Ken Fraser said: ‘One of Knoydart’s endearing qualities is its trust and sense of community. We are always made to feel so welcome and like to feel more than just a tourist. To have someone steal from the honesty box is despicable and does not show tourists in a good light.’
Constable Ross Masson, of Police Scotland, said: ‘I would urge anybody with an honesty box to take security steps such as regularly emptying the contents to put off opportunistic thieves.’