MEMBER PROFILE
SKYE HIGH SERVICE
MacGillivray Motors is a well-established, locally run garage offering a large range of services from MoTs to diagnostics on the Isle of Skye
F
irst opening in 2008 under the current MacGillivray Motors guise, the garage’s history stretches back far further to when it used to be known as
Skye Ferry Filling Station. Ali MacGillivray joined the firm as an apprentice in 1985 when he was just 15 years old, and served over 20 years from apprentice to time-served mechanic. In 2006 when the owner retired, an opportunity arose to lease the building from the newly formed Sleat Community Trust. Two years later Ali had taken over the lease and has been the proud owner of MacGillivray Motors for 11 years, with his name above the door of a well-trusted and renowned garage on the Isle of Skye. Refusing to rest on his laurels however, Ali wanted to improve both the business and his skills so he set about acquiring the relevant diagnostic training that would add another string to his bow. “When I first started the business the first thing I really felt was that I needed to update my skills and knowledge, particularly in electronics,” he said. “So I purchased the BOSCH KTS and completed numerous BOSCH diagnostic courses to get me up to speed and allow me to offer a modern
service. Employing three highly trained
members of staff, MacGillivray Motors offers MoT servicing and replacement parts for any vehicle including tyres, exhausts and batteries; wheel alignment and diagnostic checks. It also offers the recharge and supply of air-conditioning units, one of the few garages on the island to do so. “I like working with the local community and the way that demands change,” Ali revealed. “The variety of work coming through offers different challenges and no one day is the same. Although we are based in a rural, island location we want to offer a high-level service that matches that elsewhere.”
The overwhelming majority of trade comes through local channel but being located on a beautiful island that happens to be close to the famous Mallaig to Armadale ferry crossing and the North Coast 500 tourist trail can attract further business too.
“I’d say 90-95% of our customers are local,” Ali said, “but the tourist season means that we get people calling in from all over the world. You often see groups coming this way that have travelled the North Coast 500 and are staying on the west coast. We are located a stone’s throw away from the Armadale ferry terminal which sees people crossing from Mallaig, many who have travelled along the West Highland Line, often on the Jacobite steam train. This has been of great benefit, particularly since we started our car rental business, DriveSkye.” At just £50 per day, cars can be hired directly from the garage for as many days as required. This is popular with tourists who can arrive on the Isle of Skye and pick up a car to explore the island. “Automatics are very popular, we’re getting
a lot of European, American and Australian customers and they’re looking for automatics,” Ali said. “They are quite happy having small cars to buzz around Skye for a few days and then head off again.”
MacGillivray Motors has been a proud member of the SMTA for a number of years, and Ali has found the support when he became a sole MoT tester of particular value. “When I became a single MoT tester, I joined the SMTA scheme and they would send somebody to check my compliance and quality control,” Ali explained. “Being an affiliated member is also fantastic as it gives the business more recognition.” Looking ahead, MacGillivray Motors is preparing for the predicted surge in electric car sales by training up its staff and adapting the layout of its garage. While there aren’t a substantial number of electric and hybrid cars currently on Skye, Ali wants to be prepared for when this trend inevitably bucks. “We’ve started doing some hybrid courses already, and I’m looking to set up the garage slightly differently in the next year or two and get another ramp put in. I’m hoping to have a designated area for electric bays,” he said. “Because we’ve got three phase power here, we can quite feasibly put in a charging point and use this while we’re servicing the car.” MacGillivray Motors is open from 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday. Its friendly staff are ready and willing to help with any problem or request no matter how big or small.
For more information: 01471 844361 or
www.macgillivraymotors.co.uk /
www.driveskye.com
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