The family and friends of the late Robert Doherty are having a sponsored walk in his memory. They will be walking from the Stinchar Bridge to Loch Doon Castle, about eight miles, on Sunday June 7 at 12 noon. All money raised will be given to the Ayrshire hospice as a thank you for all the help and kindness shown to Robert when he was ill.

Anyone who would like to make a donation in Robert’s memory can do so at David McKay at the butcher’s shop in Maybole High Street or Bryce McCulloch, Rosebank Fruiterers in Whitehall.

If you would like to take part in the walk, contact Campbell Hearton on 01655 883502 or Ian Coulter on 01655 750415. The group will leave Maybole Town Hall at 11.30am on Sunday June 7.

Robert was born in Maybole, the eldest of three children, to Sammy and Myra Doherty. He attended Carrick Academy and worked as a part-time butcher with Harvey the Butchers while also doing his apprenticeship as an electrician with Coleman Bros.

He married Jean Robertson and they had two daughters, Anita and Bobbie. He moved to work for Clyde Gravure around 1972 doing an apprenticeship to become a printer.

Robert left Clyde Gravure in 1979/80 to become a partner with Ross and Harvey, running one of the two butcher shops in the town. He returned several years later to Clyde Gravure and stayed there till August 1998 when the renamed Wace Clyde Gravure closed its doors.

He also worked part-time in the Carrick Hotel for various owners and his hobbies included driving, hill walking and holidaying at his caravan on the Solway Firthwith Jean and his grandchildren.