The King's coronation: Laurandy ladies were all shook up about royal visit
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It was almost as if the King of Rock ’n’ Roll had entered the building when the future monarch called in at Wick's Laurandy Centre one day more than a quarter of a century ago.
Margaret Allan, who was manager at the time, recalls how regular users were "thrilled to bits" about their encounter with the then Prince Charles.
"I had some right royalists among my ladies and they were so excited when he sat down beside them," she said. "They were just like, you know, it was Elvis – they were shaking in their shoes!"
Margaret was the first manager of the Laurandy Centre when it opened in 1996. She served in that role for 26 years and, although now retired, is still involved as an adviser.
She remembers the royal visit taking place within the first year of the centre's opening.
Not everyone was all shook up about it, however.
Margaret said: "I only had one man who wasn't for the royals, and he decided not to come in – but everybody else was thrilled to bits.
"They said they would die happy because they had met the prince."
She recalls how the future King spoke to everyone and asked what they had done in their working lives.
Margaret said: "I walked up the corridor with him and he said, 'Oh, I'm really putting them off their way today.' And I said, 'Oh, not at all, they're so excited that you're coming.'
"He spoke to everybody in our big lounge. He went round everybody and asked them were they farmers or fishermen.
"One lady had done a jigsaw and she left the last bit for him to put in. He had such good interpersonal skills.
"He gave total focus and time to everybody. He was very attentive.
"He wore his kilt that day and I said to him, 'Well, enjoy your time in the Highlands,' and he said, 'I certainly intend to.'
"That was one of our famous days."
