The remote Highland village that was forced to fight for its only cash machine offers a glimpse into why the north of Scotland has emerged as the heartland of the nation's growing cash revolt.
A major new poll has found just five per cent of people in the Highlands and Islands support a cashless society, the lowest figure anywhere in Scotland. More than eight in ten oppose the idea, while 86% say local bank branches remain important to their communities.
For residents of Durness, who fought to retain their cash machine the findings are unlikely to come as a surprise.
Seven years ago, the north-west Sutherland village found itself at the centre of a battle over access to cash that highlighted the challenges facing rural communities in an increasingly digital world.
At the time, Durness lost its only 24-hour cash machine.
The ATM, located in the village's Spar shop, had served local residents, tourists and businesses in one of the most remote parts of mainland Britain.
Its disappearance left the community without any local access to cash.
The nearest alternative cash machine was more than 50 miles away in Lochinver, meaning some residents and visitors faced round trips of more than 100 miles simply to withdraw their own money.
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For a village whose economy depends heavily on tourism, the consequences were immediate.
Business owners warned the loss of the ATM risked damaging trade and discouraging visitors from spending money locally.
While card payments had become commonplace in towns and cities, many Highland communities continued to face challenges with internet connectivity and mobile phone coverage.
When broadband or phone signals failed, businesses could find themselves unable to process card transactions.
Cash often remained the only reliable fallback.
Local traders feared tourists arriving without sufficient cash would be forced to cut short visits, cancel activities or reduce spending in local shops, cafes and accommodation businesses.
The situation became so serious that some business owners were said to have found themselves lending money to visitors who had no practical way of accessing their own funds.
One of them was Fiona Mackay, who runs Mackay's Rooms bed and breakfast in Durness.
Speaking at the time, she described the loss of the ATM as "another nail in the coffin" for basic services in a community trying to support both residents and tourists.
She revealed she had been forced to lend a French visitor £40 after they were unable to access cash.
The campaign to restore the ATM quickly gathered momentum.
Business owners, community leaders and local residents joined forces to highlight the impact the loss was having on everyday life.
And later that year a replacement free-to-use ATM was installed and it remains in place.
ATM network provider LINK agreed to install a machine before announcing that any communities lacking a cash machine can apply for one to be put in by the cash machine network.
It became one of the first to receive an ATM in new UK installation programme.
For campaigners, it was a significant victory.
One local business owner said: "Tourists use cards. Lots of locals still use cash. When broadband goes down, cash keeps the business running.
"The poll doesn't surprise me. We fought to keep access to cash because our community depends on it."
