Serving The Highlands & Islands for Over
42 Years
As of 22/05/23 D.R. Macleod Ltd
transferred its haulage operations to
DFDS Logistics Services Ltd
PLEASE NOTE:
Although the Haulage aspect of D.R. Macleod Ltd has now transferred to DFDS, D.R. Macleod Ltd will continue with its other operations in providing Storage Services, Property Rental & Property Development. The D.R. Macleod IP, image and livery rights etc have also been retained.
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You can still contact the haulage business using the contacts and details you have always used in the past, and the business will continue to operate from the same locations, with the exception of Glasgow where the depot in Eurocentral has now relocated to the DFDS depot in Larkhall. In time the e-mail addresses of your contacts may change from D.R. Macleod addresses to DFDS addresses over time.
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You can find out more information about DFDS from their website by clicking on one of their logo's on this website or by going to their website by clicking this link: DFDS LOGISTICS (GB)
Message From Macleod Family
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D.R. Macleod has operated for 42 years. With our distinctive yellow and blue livery, our vehicles have become a consistent sight on the roads of Scotland. We have always tried to put the needs of our staff and customers at the heart of what we do and as a business we will continue to do so.
Our business was founded in 1981 by D.R. Macleod with one vehicle when he bought an ex coal board Leyland Reiver. Growing the business, he took on general haulage work and small deliveries, eventually starting the first daily express service between Inverness and Lewis. The company has continued to grow ever since, now operating a fleet of over 70 vehicles and 90 trailers carrying all manner of goods across the country, also offering the same daily express service between Glasgow and Lewis, transporting everything from individual packages to multiple full loads for national and multinational companies.
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We are very proud of what D.R. accomplished in his life time. He was proud to serve the community where he lived, and was especially proud of his workforce. He described the business as only being as good as the people you have, and that we are fortunate to have very good people. Over the years we have developed a successful partnership with DFDS, and in 2019 D.R. Macleod and DFDS were in advanced talks for DFDS to take over the running of the business. Had it not been for the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the deal would have likely already concluded in 2020.
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Although, unfortunately, D.R. is no longer with us, we are now continuing on with his plans to pass the running of the haulage business to DFDS. We too believe that DFDS will be suitable stewards for the business going forwards. We feel they share the same values that we do, both as employers who will continue looking after the workforce of whom we are very proud, and as a business that will support and serve local communities with the high standards of service we have prided ourselves on.
Business will continue as normal and customers should see no disruptions to the services we provide as we transition the business into the hands of DFDS. You will also still see our yellow and blue colours for some years to come. We will be continuing to work with DFDS over the coming months and support them going forward.
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The Macleod Family
SERVICES
General Haulage
D.R. Macleod Ltd operated a large fleet of vehicles carrying your everyday goods and pallets throughout the UK in a professional and efficient manner. Whether it was one box, a full load, or job requiring multiple loads, we carried a wide variety of goods on a daily basis, if you had a one off job or require deliveries on a regular basis we could help.
We offered logistical support for many well known high street names on a daily basis, ensuring their goods arrived reliably and on time. We operated multiple Daily Services between Stornoway, Inverness, Uist and Glasgow. For smaller deliveries we also operated a fleet of vans from our depots to deliver express consignments and 'last mile' deliveries
Refrigerated Transport
We operated a large fleet of refrigerated vehicles and trailers capable of carrying your goods whether chilled, frozen, ambient or a mix of all three in one multi-temperature load. We were contracted by several of the main national supermarket chains to distribute product to their stores. We also handled delivery of fresh and frozen produce for several national food suppliers.
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We committed to providing a professional and reliable service on which our customers could depend. The company was recognised by the industry when it was awarded the accolade of 'Scotland’s Top Chilled Distribution Company 2014'.
Specialist Transport
If you had something out of the ordinary to be transported then we were there to help. Our modern fleet included a variety of vehicles (Articulated Trucks, Rigids, HiAb Crane Lorries, Vans and 4x4's) and trailers (including Stepframe Low Loaders, Curtain Siders, Moving Floors, Bulk Tankers, Bulk Tippers, Extendable Platforms and Car Trailers). This gave us the flexibility to meet the needs of almost anything which could be moved by road. Our team of drivers also had a wealth of experience in the haulage industry to draw upon.
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Examples of Specialised loads we carried on a regular basis include:
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Wind Turbine Components
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Excavators
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Quarry Equipment
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Oil Sector Components
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Timber House Kits
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Industrial Generator Units
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Liquid Bitumen
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Trawler Nets
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Compressed Gases
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Road Bridges
ABOUT
Founded in 1981, at the time of our business transfer, the company operated around 55 large commercial vehicles, plus around 85 trailers, supplemented with smaller vans for local deliveries; and employing over 100 people throughout the Western Isles, Inverness, Skye and Glasgow – making the island-based business a truly nationwide company.
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Although our headquarters were in Stornoway and people might associate the lorries just with Stornoway, the larger fleet operated from the mainland depots. Incorporating not only general haulage but distribution on behalf of national supermarkets such as Tesco and the Cooperative throughout the islands from Skye and the Uists into the Islands of Lewis of Harris.
The vehicles were a moving billboard, highlighting the company's distinctive livery which is a regular sight on the UK roads. Our vehicles were often used for marketing purposes by several truck manufacturers, as well as featuring on a regular basis in trade magazines. Our distinctive livery even attracted the attention of Corgi diecast models, Oxford Diecast and other model manufacturers to be the subject for several ranges of model vehicle.
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To for more info on our fleet and pictures, visit the FLEET page.
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In May 2023 the haulage aspect of the business was acquired by DFDS Logistics and is now operated as part of DFDS Logistics.
1981
Year Established
70
Vehicles
In Fleet
85
Trailers
In Fleet
100
Staff Employed
Locations
We operated out of four depots which were all purpose built to a very high standard to meet our specific needs. Our headquarters were in Stornoway and we also had depots in Inverness, Lochmaddy and our newest was our depot in Glasgow (Eurocentral) which was completed in 2022.
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DFDS Still operate from these depots, with the exception of Glasgow (Eurocentral) as they have relocated the Glasgow operations to the DFDS main depot in Larkhall.
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You can click on the image of each depot for current contact details and a map/directions
CLIENTS
D.R. Macleod was provided logistics to many clients. See below for examples of some of the clients we carried out regular work for.
CONTACT
Enquiries
For any current haulage enquiries, questions or commendations, please call: 01851 705217 or e-mail one of the depots.
Get a quote: 01851 705217
For any queries, relating to the historic D.R. Macleod Haulage business or for queries about use of our IP such as image/livery rights etc. Please call 01851 619 480 or e-mail: info@drmacleod.net
Inverness
Uist
DFDS
Strombane
Lochmaddy
North Uist
HS7 5AH
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Tel: 01876 500 800
Fax: 01876 500 869
Stornoway
DFDS
Island Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2RD
Tel: 01851 705217
Fax: 01851 704223
Glasgow
DFDS
9 Middleton Avenue
Strutherhill Industrial Estate
Larkhall
ML9 2TL
Tel: 01698 552 500
Select Option '1' In Call Menu
Fax: 0141 773 2891