Caroline and David with the Robertson Gemini Team (July 2021)
Image Copyright DGWGO
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A local family owned garage, Robertson Gemini Ltd, in Castle Douglas, is celebrating it’s 100th year in business in the Stewartry this year (2021). In a recent interview DGWGO spoke to co-owner of the business David Butler, who told us all about the past 100 years and how the business has evolved.
David said “It all began in 1921 when William Robertson an Aberdonian moved to Dalbeattie and began the business of Robertsons as a taxi service and sometime later a regular bus service from Dumfries to Edinburgh.
It wasn’t long before the transport firm was established providing a range of services which included, 2 scaffy wagons ( bin lorries), 8 lorries ( 3 tipper lorries ) hauling Dalbeattie granite, coal for the gas works, taxis, wedding car, ambulance, a hearse and tractors which were used for spreading lime. The original site was in Station Road, Dalbeattie but soon moved to Maxwell Street behind the current petrol station where the old gas works was located, it became Maxwell Arms Garage.
There were several ‘lock-ups’ which were rented out and also used for housing the above-mentioned vehicles. The Skeoch motor car factory was also there. It is fascinating to see old pictures of such vehicles in the Dalbeattie Museum. There were other such companies starting up at the same time and Dalbeattie High Street looked quite different from today’s array of vehicles. This was the period when new cars were being developed locally such as the Skeoch ( Dalbeattie ) and the ladies car the Galloway ( Tongland ).
When William Robertson passed on (1950), his son William James Robertson took on the business, This was an exciting time for the British motor industry developing rapidly with mass produced cars, like the Morris, Austin, Ford, MG, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Sunbeam, Hillman to name just a few.
A great deal of historical information was gathered from Tom Parker and his brother James of Palnackie both former employees at Robertsons, they both served their Apprenticeships with Robertsons between 1953 – 1958. Tom distinctly remembers those times and recalls serving fuel at the age of 10. The vehicles he worked on included Morris 8 E series, Morris Minor, MGs, Hillman Minx, Alvis and lorries such as Bedford and Dodge. The fuel sold ranged from 2 star and 4star premium fuel to paraffin TVO for tractors and vans. The pump service included, windscreen wash, tyre pressure checks and oil checks. There were no computers then!
Some of the Robertson fleet of vehicles probably around the 1930s
David Continued “One amusing fact that was noted was that, in one of the rooms above the workshops there was a saddler, Mr. McCubbin who looked after the needs of the local equine community. One of Mr. McCubbin’s inventions was a pneumatic device which fitted under the horses’ harnesses providing a much more comfortable collar for drawing the carts. There were stables attached to the garage site and the cattle market adjacent. Frequently these pneumatic collars would puncture and need patching which is where Robertsons came in to assist with the repairs. These must have been remarkably interesting times with the transition from horse drawn carriages to motor vehicles. William Robertson died in 1951.”
“William James Robertson took over the business and steered the company through the rapidly changing motor industry. During the 1950s Robertsons -The Maxwell Arms Garage secured the Rover dealership with such vehicles as the Mini Metro, Maestro. Montego and the Rover range. Sadly, William Robertson Junior passed away at the age of 49 in 1963.
His son Stewart Robertson was only 13 and the company was managed by (George Copland with the support of a syndicate of associates.) until such times as Stewart was old enough and qualified as a motor engineer at the age of 20 when he took on the business in 1970. He served his apprenticeship at Penmans in Dumfries. He not only grew the business but also became a well-known rally driver who competed in National and International competitions. He and his pit team maintained his rally cars at the Dalbeattie site.
There are still several former employees living around Dalbeattie who fondly remember serving their Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeships at Robertsons and eager to share their knowledge and experiences.”
Stewart’s last Rally car – previous cars included, Mini. Ford Escorts, Talbot Sunbeam, and a Metro.
“Robertsons continued with the Maxwell Arms site in Dalbeattie with the workshops located to the rear and petrol pumps and car displays either side of the shop on the forecourt. In 1993 the forecourt was refurbished with new petrol pumps and the shop was extended. Together with Tom Niven, Stewart’s brother-in-law, they jointly ran the petrol and shop business until Tom bought out Stewart’s share of the business. The petrol station still exists under new ownership.”
In 1993 Stewart Robertson expanded the business by purchasing a site in Castle Douglas (formerly the old Corries Garage, Morris House site in Cotton Street). Now two locations existed, Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas and for a considerable time he maintained and managed both sites but eventually moving completely to Castle Douglas.
He maintained links with all his Dalbeattie customers and offered courtesy cars and a pickup and drop a off service which enabled continuity of the business. This practice continues today. He married Caroline Keir in 1990 and twin boys arrived soon afterwards. The idea of twin garages and twin boys prompted the concept of renaming the business to Robertson Gemini Ltd as it is today.
In 1998 the new Rover range of cars, 200, 400, 600 and 800 was launched which developed into the Rover 25,45 and 75. Stewart organized a Rover 75 launch at the Urr Valley Hotel. The car was kept under wraps until its public unveiling. There was also a Streetwise version which was a modified souped-up car which resembled a ‘bumble bee’ with its black trim on a yellow body. Robertson Gemini Ltd continued the Rover MG Dealership for SW Scotland which proved phenomenally successful until the demise of MG Rover in 2005. Following this major setback Stewart ventured into other dealerships but finally settled on selling quality used cars of various makes and developing a Ford Service Centre, this business model still exists today.”
“Sadly, Stewart died in 2010 whilst enjoying his love of mountain biking. This tragedy was a major setback for the business which left Caroline with exceedingly difficult decisions to make regarding the future of the garage. During this period the garage was managed by senior staff until Caroline decided to take full control of the business in 2013.”
David Said “This investment has vastly improved the capability in tackling most jobs across a range of vehicles. The business model has now matured and both Caroline and myself are very satisfied with its current position, however, innovation and development is a constant and exciting theme running through the business and even at 100 years old the business is modern in appearance and certainly devoted to meeting customer satisfaction, we always endeavor to ‘go the extra mile’ to meet this aim.”
“Above all else, none of the above could be achieved without the dedication of our staff. Currently we have 14 members of staff covering all the functions of our business.
So, looking forward we are optimistic that the future looks bright, and our 100 years of business experience will surely stand us in good stead. We are already looking at the challenges ahead with the introduction of e cars and environmental issues that we all face. Of course, the impact of Covid related issues has proved to be a challenge for many businesses, however, Robertson Gemini Ltd managed the constraints well and is as prepared as anyone can be given these circumstances to continue moving the business forward.”
Recent developments
With this in mind and conscious that vehicle design is constantly changing we have updated most of our workshop equipment in order to keep up with modern technological developments. Our recent improvements include:-
✓ The replacement of 4 of our six ramps
✓ Introduced LED lighting throughout the workshop and showroom
✓ Replaced the 4 wheel alignment machine
✓ Introduced new computer diagnostic machines covering most cars and vans
✓ Replaced tyre and wheel balancing machine
✓ New suspension device for removing springs
✓ New machine for air conditioning repairs and servicing
✓ Updated our business management systems leading to prompt and accurate billing
✓ Launched a new web site
✓ Launched an online ‘click and collect’ package for car sales
✓ Expanded our car sales stock
✓ We now have 3 brand new courtesy cars
✓ Refurbished the exterior of the building
✓ Replaced the car showroom doors
✓ Installed Covid screens at reception.
✓ Improved our Motability service
Both Caroline and David have set the highest of standards when it comes to maintenance a good business practice and have worked closely with RBS, Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise who have all been incredibly supportive in helping to achieve these goals.
Both Caroline and David have set the highest of standards when it comes to maintenance a good business practice and have worked closely with RBS, Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise who have all been incredibly supportive in helping to achieve these goals.
