75 Years of Scottish Haulage M ANY unusual tasks face hauliers
Page 51
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
in the North of Scotland, and C. W. Robertson and Co., of Inverness, who run five Albion 5-toriners normally used as cattle floats; know how to set about them.
The business was founded by Mr. Charles. Robertson in -1875, to undertake carting work. Motor
goods vehicles were employed in the solid-tyred era before the first World War, In 1911 a char4.-bancs service was operated, but later it was decided to relinquish passenger activities-and to concentrate on the goods side.
Claiming to have been the first hauliers to transport cattle by motor in the North of Scotland, the corn
pany started activities in this direction over a quarter of a century ago. To-day they work all over the North of Scotland and often into the Isle of Skye, but special attention is paid to the carrying of prize cattle to big sales in the south. The vehicles are fitted with double decks for moving sheep, many thousands of which are carried from high ground to low ground during the October-November period for wintering, being returned to the high ground in early spring.
Many of the journeys are over rough and narrow roads, where it is no uncommon thing to travel between 10 and 20 miles without encountering another motor vehicle. Rough surfaces compel speeds to be kept down for long distances to a speed of under 20 m.p.h. Apart from movement of animals, general haulage and furniture removal is carried on, the vehicles being convertible. Recently a complete farm was carried from Inverness to Norwich, and special plants to be used as decorations for the Highland Show were carried on the return journey.
Like many other operators in the North of Scotland, C. W. Robertson and Co. are great believers in Albion vehicles. Their special cattle bodies are fitted by Gibsons, of Aberdeen