In 1975, 17-year-old Dugie MacTaggart saw an advertisement for a job working for MacBrayne Haulage and decided to apply.
He was working in a bank and didn’t enjoy it so thought he would give something else a go. Little did he know that 48 years later he would still be working for the same company.
Dugie MacTaggart retired from CalMac, as it is now known, on Thursday December 22 after spending very nearly his entire career working for the ferry operator.
His first job was in the office at Port Ellen, Islay, where Dugie is from, and he now works as a Revenue Protection Manager, carrying out compliance checks at ports and with pursers.
Dugie looked after the ferry bookings in his first job and said he would get stopped in the street by islanders wanting to reserve space.
He explained: “Being on an island everyone knew you and where you worked so when I went home after a day at work, I would get people phoning asking if there was space on the ferry. It was the same if I went out socialising someone would ask if I could take a note and book them on a ferry – but I got on with it – it was island life.”
During travels round the network Dugie came across some characters in offices, vessels and travelling public. He remembers the Mull Car Rally as an interesting time.
Dugie continued: “People tried to get away with all sorts during the Mull Car Rally. We used to offer discounts to motorhomes travelling to the rally so we found that some of our passengers were rather inventive with their vehicles and would try their luck to get a discount by putting a mattress and a gas stove in their back seat!”
Dugie looks back fondly at his time working for CalMac and says it will be very strange to leave. “I’ve enjoyed my work but what I enjoy most about the job is being part of the team – working for CalMac is like being part of a big family,” he said. “We all support each other and it’s been a really good place to work.”
Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac said: “During his 48 years at CalMac Dugie has seen many changes – from keeping ferry bookings in a diary to the introduction of an electronic system.
“He was there at the launch of the MV Caledonian Isles and managed traffic for large island events such as the Arran Agricultural Show. Dugie has been an integral member of the team. We’re committed to serving island communities, and our dedicated and highly skilled employees, like Dugie, are critical to delivering this. We wish him well for his retirement.”
Dugie plans to spend time with his family and in his garden during his retirement. He has two grandchildren who he says will keep him busy, and his wife who has a long list of jobs for him to tackle!