Hillhead Farm: That's where I got my love of driving
Recorded 2 years ago
About this recording
Gary Sinclair, owner of Gary’s Driving School, was brought up in the Hillhead area of Wick.
He shares fond memories of his regular visits to Danny Coghill at Hillhead Farm.
“He allowed us to drive tractors, from small tractors to big tractors, from old tractors to new tractors. That’s where I got my love for driving.”
On leaving school Gary worked for John Martin at Charity Farm and studied agriculture at college in Thurso and Kirkwall.
He went on to work at Norfrost in Castletown but decided he would prefer a job that involved driving, so he applied to McEwen Coal, Wick to become a coal delivery driver. He enjoyed meeting lots of people in the villages around Caithness and soon discovered that he was not only delivering coal but was providing a vital service in delivering supplies such as eggs, milk, jam and papers.
While working for McEwen Coal, Gary trained as a driving instructor and was able to set up Gary’s Driving School. He retains a link with the coal business and continues to help out as and when required.
The successful Driving School business was established in 2017, but Gary recognises that there have been some challenges, such as the Covid pandemic and the local road conditions. However, he acknowledges that the main roads in the town have improved due to recent investment in resurfacing.
“You don’t have much time for hobbies when you’re running a business by yourself,” says Gary. However, following in the footsteps of his two late grandfathers, he joined the local Masonic Lodge St Fergus in 2007.
“It’s an honour to follow in their footsteps and hold various offices in the local lodge in the town of Wick.”
Gary feels privileged to have had connections with some historical aspects of the town of Wick, through spending many happy hours at Hillhead Farm. Working for McEwens of Wick, a well-established business in the town, and through being a member of Lodge St Fergus 466,
Contributors
Photos
