Thurso town centre businesses touched by mystery New Year thank you charms
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A number of Thurso businesses were delighted to get a mystery handmade gift left on their doorsteps at the end of 2021.
The gonk-style presents, comprising of a pine cone complete with nose and woolly hat, were found by staff at the town centre shops and hospitality venues when they arrived for work on Hogmanay.
The gifts came along with a verse which reads:
"As the sun goes down on 2021...
For some it's been hard and not much fun...
Take this gift as a little thank you...
To a business that survived this whole year through..."
Alison Munro, proprietor of Elizabeth's Fabrics in the town's Trail Street, said: "I don't know who did it. It was just such a welcome – it really took a tear to my eye.
"It has been a tough couple of years for everybody and it was just so nice for someone to think of us, really kind – we were really touched."
Alison is calling it her good luck charm, adding: "I have it hanging up on display."
Jilly Calder, manager of the Holborn Hotel, said: "We were really surprised, we just found it on our desk, it was such a really nice thing to do. It brought us a bit of Christmas cheer. Whoever did it obviously went out of their way.
"We still don't know who it was, it is a mystery – it would be nice to know who it was just to say thank you."
She added: "We have got it hanging behind the bar, we are keeping it as a wee charm of prosperity. I think we will keep it there all year through now."
Among the other businesses delighted with the surprise of finding the gift as they arrived for work on Hogmanay were the Kiln Store, Caithness Furnishers, Messy Nessy Play, and KW Kitchen.
