Furious over high delivery surcharges
Sir,
At this time of year many people will be shopping online for presents for loved ones and friends.
As broadband continues to be rolled out across the Highlands and Islands, people want to take advantage of the choice and bargains offered online. I am a big supporter of supporting our local shops which should always be our first port of call but I know in many rural areas we can’t always find the goods we want locally.
So often when ordering goods, the sky high parcel delivery surcharges are completely shocking. So many companies charge consumers in the Highlands so much more than they charge consumers in the rest of the UK.
For instance, it’s outrageous that some retailers don’t include mainland Scotland in their definition of ‘mainland UK’, meaning we lose out on many retailers’ offers of free or low-cost delivery charges. Some of the delivery surcharges imposed on local homes and businesses I’ve heard about are staggering.
That’s why I am working with my MSP colleague Richard Lochhead, who has a campaign website www.fairdeliverycharges.scot where the public can support the call for action to stop retailers and courier companies who want our custom ripping us off.
I can also be contacted at kate.forbes. msp@parliament.scot if anyone wishes to let me know about their experiences.
Thanks for building memorial cairn
Sir,
I have recently been sent a copy of your paper dated July 20, with the article about the cairn marking the crash of the 206 Squadron Shackleton in 1967.
I was a member of 206 Squadron, joining just after the crash had occurred.
I am most grateful to Jimmy MacDonald for his hard work and perseverance in rebuilding the cairn, which must have been both difficult and time-consuming.
As I have no way of contacting him directly, I wonder if it is possible for you to pass my kind regards on to him. It is a wonderful gesture that will be appreciated by all the ex-squadron members and especially by the relatives of the 13 crew members.
Thanks to his them. efforts, we will remember