Scotland's oldest car dealership group sold

Scotland's oldest car dealership group sold

The oldest car dealership in Scotland has been sold to a coach firm for an undisclosed sum.

Macrae and Dick, based in Inverness, is now part of the Park’s of Hamilton group. It adds 12 dealerships to Park’s, including centres in Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, Stirling Falkirk, Linligthgow, Cumbernauld, Denny and Glasgow.

If you are growing your business, either by buying out rivals or increasing the stock you have in the showroom, it’s essential to make sure you have the correct type of motor trade insurance for your expanded business. It’s also worth checking that your road risks insurance is also adequate to cover the additional needs of your business.

Macrae and Dick was originally set up to provide customers with horse-drawn vehicles in 1878. In the 20th Century, the group handled both new and used cars from dealerships across Scotland.

The company’s chairman and largest shareholder Francis Hamilton told the Aberdeen Press & Journal that the new owners had been hand-picked to ensure they took a similar approach to business.

He said: “When we decided we were to sell the business we sought out a motor group in Scotland which was similar to our own and one which likewise expresses commercial competence, courtesy to its customers and concern for its staff.”

Mr Hamilton said he had known Park’s Motor Group whose chairman, Douglas Park, “for decades” and that he had his “absolute trust in these fields”.

Park’s director Graeme Park said he was “thrilled” to add the Macrae and Dick dealerships to the group and he was excited about growing the business.

He added: “We believe this is the right move for us. It is a purchase which sits well within our ethos and it is one which we are confident will enhance our business and add even more value.”