Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick joined a local postie on their morning delivery route in Inverness today, gaining first-hand insight into the service Royal Mail provides to communities locally.

Ms Roddick accompanied postie Gregor Todd for several hours, experiencing the challenges and rewards of delivering mail and parcels in all weather conditions. The visit allowed the MSP to hear directly about the day-to-day experiences of postal workers and the importance of their role, particularly in rural and island communities.

Ms Roddick has consistently championed the importance of essential services in the Highlands and Islands and welcomed the opportunity to see the work involved.

Speaking after her visit, Ms Roddick said:

“It was a real privilege to join Gregor on his round and see, up close, the dedication and hard work that goes into delivering our mail every single day. Posties are a backbone for our communities, connecting people and ensuring vital services reach every corner of the Highlands, no matter how far from the sorting office.

“As a campaigner, I’m no stranger to the varied letterboxes in Inverness and some of the nuisances you come across when trying to deliver leaflets through them all. But the work involved in being a local postie is so much more than that, and it was really valuable to see what goes on up close.

“This experience has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that Royal Mail continues to be a public service that truly serves the needs of all our communities, and I’ll continue to engage with local workers and unions to advocate for the support and resources our postal workers deserve.”

The MSP extended her thanks to Gregor Todd, Chris Thumpston, and Royal Mail for facilitating the visit.

“There is still a need for more recruits, and they have a recruitment day on 22 July; for someone keen on something local, this could be a perfect job,” Emma Roddick added.