Commemorative project planned to mark Far North haulage company's 100th anniversary; appeal for D Steven & Son archive photos is launched
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An appeal has gone out for archive photos capturing some of the 100-year history of a successful Caithness haulage firm.
D Steven & Son began life in Wick in 1920 and is now an award-winning business operating throughout the UK and Europe from its base at Scrabster harbour.
Commercial vehicle journalist John Henderson has been asked to research the history of the company for a commemorative project marking the centenary.
He is keen to hear from anyone with photos from the first 75 years of the business that he can borrow and copy.
"Over the decades, the company has generously given away much of its photographic archive to interested parties," Mr Henderson explained.
"There is a real dearth of pictures of D Steven & Son vehicles between 1920 and 1995, when the business was based in Wick. Any from that era would be particularly welcome.
"The company has always supplied vehicles for local gala parades, and pictures from those events will be of interest. Any photos made available to copy would, of course, be returned to the owners without delay."
Edinburgh-based Mr Henderson would also be grateful for any information and recollections relating to D Steven & Son. He can be contacted by email at johnwhenderson@hotmail.com
He says the nature of the commemorative project will depend on the volume of response, but a booklet or history file for the company would be a start. Covid-19 has delayed the project but he is now working towards a completion date of next spring.
Mr Henderson (57) is a former qualified truck mechanic and truck driver who turned to writing, and has been a commercial vehicle journalist for almost 20 years.
The business was founded in Wick by David Steven with a horse and cart. He was licensed as carter number two in the town.
David's son, Alexander, was born in 1928 and the business name was changed to D Steven & Son. Alexander helped develop the firm's motorised transport as vehicle technology progressed.
In 2003 D Steven & Son was named Scottish European Haulier of the Year, and in 2012 it took the accolade of Scotland’s Top Trailer Fleet.
It has bases in Wick, Aberdeen and Glasgow as well as Scrabster.
