Dozens of post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and South of Scotland have also been earmarked for closure or downgrading after The Post Office started a six-week consultation on shutting 26 branches and downgrading a further 32 offices.

The company said almost all the area's population would see no change to their nearest branch, or would remain within one mile of an office.

Sally Buchanan, the Post Office's network development manager for Scotland, said the proposals were the best for services across the area while still meeting government criteria.

"Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers," she said.

"We want to ensure everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them."

Balmaclellan and Corsock Post offices will receive mobile services instead, whilst Creetown and Kirkcowan will be downgraded to partner services - this means a fixed site Post Office branch where a local partner (such as a pub landlord), appointed by the subpostmaster, transacts a reduced range of Post Office products and services from the partner's own premises.