Postal desert island: Mull’s residents cut off from civilisation by Royal Mail

Scottish islanders fear complete isolation as vital mail deliveries fail to arrive for days, sometimes weeks

The allure of the Isle of Mull is its sense of apartness. In summer, flocks of tourists make the 45-minute crossing from the mainland to sample life on the edge. From the point of view of its 3,000 residents, modern transport and communications have brought them closer to the rest of the country than ever. But now, thanks to Royal Mail, islanders fear they are being returned to isolation.

For the last three years, parts of Mull have been cut off from mail deliveries for days. Since March, those days have turned into weeks.