Edinburgh man reflects on 25 years as a postie - as locals share fond memories
A beloved Edinburgh postal worker has stepped down from his role after more than two decades of delivering mail due to an "agonising" injury.
Marc Mclellan, 46, worked for Royal Mile for 25 years and was on the Portobello beat for around five years. Locals shared heartfelt farewells with the much-loved postie as he broke the news that he was leaving the job.
Marc covered a wide swathe of Portobello on his route and built bonds with the community over the years. He delivered mail to homes and businesses on and around Portobello High Street, along the Promenade, and up the Esplanade.
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However, an injury cropped up several years ago which slowly made his work unbearable.
Marc told Edinburgh Live: "I started to have pains in my achilles and calves around 2021 and it slowly over the years grew in more and more agony and became so debilitating that after many doctors visits, physio visits and specialists it was decided that due to my work load and my injuries I couldn't carry on sadly."
Although he was gutted to leave the role, Marc fondly recalled his many years on the beat, spending time outside and forming bonds with the Portobello community.
He added: "I loved being outdoors and delivering to all my wonderful customers over the years. I loved to interact with them all from little ones waving to me at windows to helping elderly ladies cross the road.
"I've done it all on my route, as well as delivering the mail! I just had a wonderful connection with all my customers."
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Portobello locals took to social media to share their affection for the postie.
One said: "Aw, sorry to hear this, you were a great postie, always smiling and took time for a chat. We will miss you.
Another penned: "We'll miss your energy and chats. Good luck in your next venture and make sure you pop in and say hi when you're passing."
A third shared: "We've been missing you on the Prom and will continue to! Thanks for being amazing and always so smiley and positive! Look after yourself and best wishes for your next chapter."
Marc added: "I'll miss everything. I truly loved my job as a postie, I loved the outdoors, meeting people, sharing stories daily and just general interaction with my customers.
"I've formed so many close bonds with so many people on my duty in Portobello it will be so sad when it finally hits home that it's over."
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