A Scottish couple has just received a Christmas card after it took a 4,000-mile detour – via Bermuda.

Bemused recipients, Doline and Donald Mackenzie got the card this week, according to Scotland's Daily Record.

The card was sent in December by a relative in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, before coming on a journey across the North Atlantic.

The couple, who lives on Great Bernera, off the Isle of Lewis, was amazed to see the card arrive after it's long journey back.

Mrs. Mackenzie, 57, a carer, told the Daily Record: "I think the postal staff are maybe getting Bernera mixed up with Bermuda but I can assure them that there is really no comparison.

"We have been living on Bernera for 37 years and it has never happened before.

"We were very surprised to say the least, especially as we had forgotten we hadn't received the card at Christmas in the first place.

"It was very strange for the card to take such a massive detour. We were at a loss about how it could have been sent all the way to Bermuda.

"It could maybe be the fact that it was going through the post at Christmas when it was busy and people weren't paying attention.

"The address was correct and marked clearly on it — there were no spelling mistakes or anything.

"I don't know whether it has been lying in Bermuda the whole time or not. It's definitely an odd one."

Although both islands are relatively small, rural Bernera has a population of about 300, measures nearly six miles from north to south and is about three miles east to west.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman told the Daily Record: "Royal Mail delivers 21 billion items of mail each year to 28 million addresses in the UK and 99.93 percent of that are delivered to the correct address and on time.

"To help ensure that items are delivered quickly and accurately it is crucial people use the correct postcode."