Williamson’s Pharmacy in Thurso proudly displayed its revamped shop, which includes a hi-tech robot sorting device to increase efficiency with dispensing medicines.
Torquil Clyde runs the series of chemist shops that Williamson’s Pharmacy on Traill Street is part of, and at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 7 invited along a variety of people involved with the project, together with the widow of former owner John Williamson, who cut the ribbon.
Guest of honour Vivienne Williamson, widow of the former shop owner, gets ready to cut the ribbon. On her immediate right is the current pharmacist at Williamson’s, John Donaldson. Behind her is Becci May who designed the interior. Picture: DGS
“I live in Kirkwall and we have a group of five pharmacies across Orkney and Caithness,” said Torquil.
“We took over from John Williamson in 1999 and kept the name. Mrs Williamson [his widow] is here today to do the honours with the ribbon cutting.
“This is the official opening for the refit of our building, which includes the installation of a brand new German robot, the first in the north of Scotland, which will increase efficiency, stock control and help us dispense quickly for our customers.”
Torquil Clyde runs Sutherland’s Pharmacies and Williamson’s is part of that group along with others in Orkney and Shetland. Picture: DGSThe new German robot operating behind the scenes at Williamson’s Pharmacy in Thurso. Picture: DGSVarious medicine boxes make their way into the body of the new device to be sorted and ready to be dispensed to customers. Picture: DGSAnother view of the new dispensing device now in operation at Williamson’s Pharmacy. Picture: DGSTorquil Clyde shows how easy it is to operate the new dispensing system. Picture: DGS
Though the shop has been operating for several weeks with the refurbished interior and new technology, November 6 was the day of the official opening ceremony.
Gerry Henderson, who runs GMR Henderson, was the principal contractor carrying out the work at the shop and came to the opening event. Also present were Becci May, who designed the interior, Eleanor Rose, NHS Highland’s community pharmacy business manager, and Ellen Stout, operations manager at Sutherland’s Pharmacy, which owns the Thurso chemist.
Helping at the opening event were, from left, Findlay Tulloch, Jack Stout and Torquil Clyde. Picture: DGSGerry Henderson was the contractor involved with the refit. Picture: DGSAt the grand opening on November 7 was (left) Eleanor Rose, NHS Highland community pharmacy business manager, who journeyed up from Inverness and Ellen Stout who is operations manager with Sutherland’s Pharmacy which runs the Thurso chemist. Picture: DGS
Vivienne Williamson was the guest of honour at the event and cut the bright yellow ribbon held across the front door of the shop as the guests looked on. Mrs Williamson said that her husband passed away in 2016 and added: “I think he would have been taken aback with modern technology because that was not his scene.
“He would have been very proud that the shop has carried on, though.”
The moment is captured as Vivienne Williamson cuts through the ribbon. Picture: DGSA group shot at the grand opening of Williamson’s Pharmacy after its refit. Picture: DGSAll were delighted with the new look chemist shop in Thurso. Picture: DGS
The pharmacist at the shop is John Donaldson, who has worked at the shop for the last 26 years and came on board after John Williamson retired. “I’m originally from Stirling and enjoyed my work in the north of England before coming up here.
“The refit is lovely and keeps in with times.” He noted that it may take some time to assess if the new technology will make his job any easier, however.
Staff working at Williamson’s Pharmacy in Thurso after the shop was refurbished. Picture: DGSHelping with the new system were Findlay Tulloch, at front, and Torquil Clyde. Picture: DGSCustomers being served by staff at Williamson’s Pharmacy in Thurso. Picture: DGS
Becci May from Kirkwall did the interior design work at the premises and said: “We have nine pharmacies across Caithness, Orkney and Shetland.
“We tend to do a shop refit every three to five years. The last one here was in 2022. I did all the design for it, working with all the features within it, such as the pillars. It’s a much better working environment now.”
Mrs Williamson was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Torquil Clyde. Picture: DGS
Sutherland’s Pharmacy is the largest independent community pharmacy group in the north of Scotland. Its portfolio is focused on “providing comprehensive local healthcare and pharmaceutical services”.
It also offers a wide range of NHS and private healthcare services, alongside a photo lab service in its Thurso branch.
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