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William Mowatt
Retires After 50 Years In Motor Trade
1 April 03
Wick motor dealer William Mowatt has called it a day after 50 years of
selling, servicing and repairing motor vehicles. Mowatt’s Garage has
closed the doors after the retirement of William Mowatt last week.
 The business founded
by the late William J Mowatt in 1919 in Alexander Place, Wick and then
moving to larger premises in George Street where it remained to the
present day, were agents for Ford, Standard Triumph and Esso fuel.
In 1952 William J
Mowatt was joined by his sons Donald and William and his daughter Minnie
in the business which also ran a taxi service, along with the agency for
Hillman, Humber and Sunbeam cars (Rootes Group) and Nuffield Tractors.
 After the death of
William Mowatt Snr. in 1963 his sons took control of the business with the
Rootes Group agencies then Chrysler Talbot which later became Peugeot and
was held up to the present day.
For many years before
the opening of the ambulance depot in Wick the Mowatt Bros. were the
contractors for the ambulance service running this from their garage.
 In the 1980's the
Mowatts also purchased the firm of Kirkhill Motors in Green Road, Wick
where they carried on the business for about 10 years until its closure
when the site was sold for housing.
After the retirement
of the late Donald Mowatt, William and his wife Brenda ran the business.
After her death, William continued to serve the Caithness motorist with
Peugeot cars and Shell Motor Fuels, making him one of the longest held
Peugeot dealerships in the United Kingdom, as the family relationship
started way back in the days of Hillman and Humber.
 William is not totally
severing his connections with the motoring public as he maintains a link
through his interest in Elm Tree Filling Station next door in George
Street. He would like to thank his many customers from Caithness and
farther a field for their valued and continuing support over the last 51
years.
The premises in George
street have been sold to the Caithness Tyre Company.
Petrol sales will continue there until
the redevelopment of Elm Tree Filling Station. |