The Skeoch utility car was designed in the 1920s to give individuals access to an affordable, roomy two-seater vehicle that could be used for both business and pleasure.
Only twelve automobiles are believed to have been produced in Dalbeattie’s ‘The Burnside Motor Works’ before a fire broke out destroying the workshop in 1921.
DGWGO went along to catch up with Geoff Allison of Dalbeattie Men’s Shed and artist Mark Worst to find out more
Geoff Allison said “The building is the nearest building to where James’ workshop was. it’s occupied by Stewartry Care, who kindly funded this project, and that’s what led to Mark coming down to put the mural on the end wall. Just generally to commemorate what happened with the project and a little bit of Dalbeattie history.”
Debbie Cochrane, Managing Director, Stewartry Care said “The impact that loneliness and social isolation can have on the physical, mental, and social health of older people is well documented, as an organisation we recognise the issue and through re-investment of our profits, we have been able to set up a number of initiatives to help combat social isolation amongst our service users and the communities we operate in and having linked with John Johnstone on a previous project setting up intergenerational sessions with a local nursery it was always going to be a yes when asked to be involved with this project.”
Debbie added, “The Dalbeattie Men’s Shed is such a vital resource to so many people in this town and to promote them in such a unique way embracing the history of the town is something we wanted to be involved in.”
The Dalbeattie Museum website has some great information about the car
