D&E Coaches Director and co-founder Donald Mathieson (pictured) has reflected on almost 30 years of running the Inverness-based business as its sale to The Highland Council progresses and he prepares for retirement.
News of that change of ownership broke in late January. Mr Mathieson will stay involved during a transitionary period to give advisory support and the operator’s wider management team will remain in place after completion.
In a statement, 60-vehicle D&E Coaches says that sale to The Highland Council “is a strategic decision that ensures the continued provision of essential transport services and secures the future of the company’s dedicated employees.”
Mr Mathieson and his wife Elizabeth founded D&E Coaches in 1996 with one minibus. That vehicle initially operated from their home, but growth came quickly, and they moved to another site in the city, laying the foundations for what has become the largest private coach and minibus operator in the North of Scotland.
Further expansion saw D&E Coaches move again in 2002, this time to a purpose-built operating centre. It became a limited company the following year. The business opened partnerships with various organisations across the Highlands and purchased modern and diverse vehicles, from high-specification touring coaches to double-deck buses.
“Starting out with just one bus and growing to a fleet of 60 is perhaps one of my proudest achievements,” says Mr Mathieson. “I will always cherish the early days when my dad helped with the books, typing out invoices with one finger on an old typewriter.
“Of course, it was not always smooth sailing. Back then, I did not have a fax machine. So when a big contract opportunity came along, I had to sprint to the BT shop on Academy Street to buy the cheapest machine so they could fax me over the details. Fortunately, we got the contract, so it was worth the panic!”
D&E Coaches and Mr Mathieson have jointly developed a reputation for their work in the community, particularly through helping to unlock access to cultural experiences for young people.
The operator has additionally helped many charities and good causes in the Highlands, while Mr Mathieson is a long-term supporter of The Archie Foundation. It is dedicated to making a difference for children and families facing bereavement and healthcare challenges in the region.
In late 2024, D&E Coaches trialled a Yutong battery-electric coach. The operator has a well-established prominence in the Highlands tourism economy; in addition to coach travel in that field, it has developed a sightseeing tour of Inverness, while in 2023, it became official transport provider for the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
On his approaching retirement, Mr Mathieson notes: “Building D&E Coaches has been a true privilege. It means everything to me after me family. It has been my life for the last 30 years and is, inevitably, my greatest achievement.
“I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished and the positive impact that we have had on the Highlands. This transition is a natural evolution, and I am confident that The Highland Council will continue to uphold the values and commitment to service that have defined D&E Coaches for so many years.”
