Robin causes festive flutter at a busy Highland store

Throughout December a bold wee bird has regularly been seen perched on the Christmas tree at a Highland store, checking out customers as it sings its heart out.

Much to the delight of customers and check-out staff, the chirpy little tweeter comes and goes throughout the day at the B&M Home Store at Telford Retail Park in Inverness.

Store manager Stephen Illsley admitted the feathered friend had brought an extra special festive feel to the premises, with shoppers crowding around to take photos and videos.

“He has been coming in every day for four or five weeks,” Mr Illsley said.

“He’s usually there sitting outside in the morning when we open up and then he flies in and sits on top of the Christmas tree.

“He sings away and certainly seems to be very happy, then he’s off outside at closing time.”

The bird's connection to Christmas has been forged down the years since Victorian times. Postmen in Victorian Britain were nicknamed “robins” because of their red-breasted coloured uniforms. So the robin on the Christmas card came to represent the postman who delivered the card.

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