The owner of one of the largest private companies in the Western Isles has died.
Donald Roderick Macleod, who operated the road freight firm, D R Macleod, passed away on Friday, aged 65 years.
From a humble start with just one vehicle - with D R driving - in the early 80s, he and his wife Maggie built up a hugely successful haulage business over the past 40 years, playing a major role in the growth of the island economy with the transportation of goods and supplies for island shops, as well as the construction, crofting and fishing industries.
Indeed, many a family have grown up in a house built out of a timber frame kit delivered on the back of a D R lorry.
His trucks criss-cross the country, running between the islands to the main transport hubs for the Highlands and Islands and are often seen travelling Britain’s motorways.
Though strongly associated with Stornoway, the majority of the 120 or so workforce are based in Inverness. There’s also depots by Lochmaddy and outside Glasgow.
The firm has around 85 vehicles with articulated lorries and panel delivery vans, plus up to nearly 100 trailers.
Mr Macleod had a great affinity for Swedish engineered vehicles with most of his 65-strong larger vehicle fleet compromising Scania and Volvo lorries.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 1.30pm, in St. Columba’s Old Parish Church, Stornoway.
For those unable to attend in person, St. Columba’s will be live streaming the service on the church’s Facebook page and their YouTube channel.
DR Macleod died on Friday
Death of well known island haulier
9 April 2022