August 5th , 1695
The establishment of a General Post Office by the Scottish Parliament took place in 1695, during the reign of William II of Scotland (William III of England). This was a significant development in the history of communications in Scotland, marking the formal creation of a national postal service that would facilitate the efficient delivery of letters and parcels across the country.
Background
- Early Postal Systems: Before the establishment of the General Post Office (GPO), postal services in Scotland were largely informal and fragmented. Various private couriers and messengers operated in towns and cities, and there were some government officials responsible for carrying official correspondence. However, there was no organized, nationwide postal system.
- Union of Crowns: Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, there had been an increasing need for a more efficient postal service between Scotland and England. The growing administrative and commercial ties between the two countries required reliable communication.
Establishment of the General Post Office
- The Act of 1695: In 1695, the Scottish Parliament passed an act establishing a General Post Office for Scotland. This legislation provided for the creation of a centralized postal service that would operate under government oversight. The GPO was tasked with organizing and regulating postal routes, setting postal rates, and ensuring the secure and timely delivery of mail.
- First Postmaster General: The act also provided for the appointment of a Postmaster General, who would oversee the operations of the postal service. The Postmaster General was responsible for establishing post offices in major towns and cities and for creating regular postal routes throughout Scotland.
Impact and Legacy
- Improved Communication: The establishment of the GPO significantly improved communication within Scotland and between Scotland and the rest of the British Isles. It facilitated more reliable and faster mail delivery, which was crucial for commerce, government, and personal correspondence.
- Integration into the British Postal System: Following the Union of Scotland and England in 1707, the Scottish postal system was integrated into the larger British postal system. The General Post Office in Scotland became part of the overall GPO for the United Kingdom, with headquarters in London. However, Scotland maintained its own network of post offices and postal routes.
Significance
- Economic and Social Development: The establishment of the General Post Office played a key role in the economic and social development of Scotland. By improving communication, it supported trade, facilitated the spread of information, and helped to unify the country.
- Modern Postal System: The GPO laid the groundwork for the modern postal system in Scotland. Over time, the postal service expanded and modernized, eventually becoming an essential public service that was accessible to people across the country.
The creation of the General Post Office by the Scottish Parliament in 1695 was a milestone in the development of a structured and reliable postal service in Scotland, contributing to the country’s integration into a broader network of communication and commerce.
