D.R. Macleod Ltd

Serving The Highlands & Islands for Over
42 Years

Business Transfer

As of 22/05/23
D.R. Macleod Ltd
has transferred its haulage operations over 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Macleod Family

SERVICES

General Haulage

D.R. Macleod Ltd operate a large fleet of vehicles to carry your everyday goods and pallets throughout the UK in a professional and efficient manner. Whether its one box, a full load, or job requiring multiple loads, we carry a wide variety of goods on a daily basis, if you have a one off job or require deliveries on a regular basis we can help.

We offer logistical support for many well known high street names on a daily basis, ensuring their goods arrive reliably and on time. We operate multiple Daily Services between Stornoway, Inverness, Uist and Glasgow. For smaller deliveries we also operate a fleet of vans from our depots to deliver express consignments and 'last mile' deliveries

Refrigerated Transport

We operate 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 are contracted by several of the main national supermarket chains to distribute product to their stores. We also handle delivery of fresh and frozen produce for several national food suppliers.

We are committed to providing a professional and reliable service on which our customers can 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 have something out of the ordinary to be transported then we are here to help. Our modern fleet includes 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 gives us the flexibility to meet the needs of almost anything which can be moved by road. Our team of drivers also have a wealth of experience in the haulage industry to draw upon.

Examples of Specialised loads we carry on a regular basis include:

Wind Turbine Components
Excavators
Quarry Equipment
Oil Sector Components
Timber House Kits
Industrial Generator Units
Liquid Bitumen
Trawler Nets
Compressed Gases
Road Bridges

ABOUT

ABOUT

Founded in 1981, the company operates around 55 large commercial vehicles, plus around 85 trailers, supplemented with smaller vans for local deliveries; and employs over 100 people throughout the Western Isles, Inverness, Skye and Glasgow – making the island-based business a truly nationwide company.

Although our headquarters were in Stornoway and people might associate the lorries just with Stornoway, the larger fleet operates 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 are a moving billboard, highlighting the company's distinctive livery which is a regular sight on the UK roads. Our vehicles are often used for marketing purposes by several truck manufacturers, as well as featuring on a regular basis in trade magazines. Our distinctive livery has even attracted the attention of Corgi diecast models and other model manufacturers to be the subject for several ranges of model vehicle.

In May 2023 the haulage aspect of the business was acquired by DFDS Logistics and is now operated as part of DFDS.