Robert Stout (i)

Robert Stout as Provost of the Lerwick Town Council.
Image kindly supplied by the Shetland Islands Council

Robert Stout (b. 1841, Lerwick, d. 10 April 1915, Lerwick) was a postmaster and Lerwick Town Councillor initially between 1871 and 1876, then later from 1906 until his death in 1915.

His death caused a war time Lerwick Town Council by-election in 1915.

Biography

His first job was as a shipping clerk at the Aberdeen, Leith and Clyde Shipping Company, which became the North of Scotland Orkney And Shetland Steam Navigation Company. He then joined the Post Office, and when Peter Ross retired, Robert was appointed Postmaster in Lerwick.

During his time, the postal service underwent dramatic transformations within Shetland, with increasing mail steamers, the establishment of rural post offices and the extension of telegraphs. When Robert joined the Post Office, it was located in a small shop across from the Queen's Hotel, and mail arrived once per week to Shetland, while mail to the rural districts were carried by men. By 1907, Shetland had five mail deliveries per week, and a telephone system had been established, and country mails were carried by carriage and steamer.

He retired around 1907, but continued his work as a registrar.

Political Career

• Lerwick Town Council Election September 1871
• Lerwick Town Council Election September 1874
• Lerwick Town Council Election November 1906
• Lerwick Town Council Election November 1909
• Lerwick Town Council Election November 1912

External Links

• Bayanne genealogy page

Provosts
Preceded by Arthur Laing	Provost for Lerwick Town Council 1913-1915	Succeeded by Peter Goodlad