Their Hebridean home boasts some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, picturesque harbours, beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife. But the people of Islay are struggling because the island cannot recruit a new postie.
Royal Mail is making just one delivery a week with the role of postman now vacant for more than a month. Higher paid jobs are available at the island’s whisky distilleries.
Residents are waiting several weeks for deliveries with some missing hospital appointments when their NHS letters arrive late. Royal Mail has informed residents via Facebook to collect their post from the island’s only sorting office at Port Ellen, which has been overwhelmed by deliveries.
An advert for a “postperson with driving” was put up at the Port Ellen delivery office but the vacancy remains.
The 35-hour-a-week job, from 10am until 6pm, offers an hourly rate of £11.07 which increases to £12.29 after 12 months.