Equine logistics is one of the most specialized niches in transport. Eric Gillie Horse Transport was established in 1974 and has since grown to become one of the premier transporters of horses in the UK. They’ve even been awarded a Royal Appointment and are responsible for moving Her Majesty’s own horses. When it comes to endorsements, it doesn’t get any better than that.
The firm was set up by Eric and Jane Gillie in 1974. Eric had followed his father into the transport business as based in the Scottish borders, men would tend to follow their fathers into the traditional industries such as agriculture and textiles, or the haulage operations which supported them. R&W Young from Yetholm was one of the biggest haulers and employers in the area and Eric began working with them.
The company covered a variety of areas including general haulage and livestock, with Eric employed in the latter. When Young’s decision to reduce their livestock operation, Eric realized there could be an opportunity for him, with his experience in the transport side and Jane’s experience on the horse side of things. They invested £2000 on a 1968 Bedford TK horsebox, which they altered to their spec for the horses they were carrying at the time. They then set up a limited company in 1975 and the business grew steadily to a peak of eight vehicles.
Today, Eric and Jane are retired and it’s their two sons Mick, Alan, sister Philippa and daughter-in-law Karen who run the business. We traveled to their base near Kelso to speak to Mick Gillie and check out their stunning new flagship truck.
Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
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Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
