THE most spartan habit of Johnnie Frostie was undoubtedly his daily bath. The clocks might forget to strike, the sun forget to rise, but the possibility of Johnnie missing his diurnal plunge into river or loch was unthinkable. Year in, year out, in summer and in winter, he persisted. No matter how intense the frost – he would just break the ice which impeded his progress and gaily plump in. This 19th century "gentle beggar" was one of Elgin's famous worthies, a man of intelligence who cultivated eccentricity... a remarkable story...

HE was a man with a special mission... to keep people in rural areas stocked with provisions of candles, jam, apples, bread, pastry and beef, cheese and chutney, but The Carrier also brought news of all the goings-on in neighbouring areas, the gossip from there and farther afield. His visits on horse and cart were eagerly awaited in hamlets and glens; they were an event. He had an important part to play in bygone days in Moray...