Deal for Council to take over D&E Coaches completed

5th February 2025

Photograph of Deal for Council to take over D&E Coaches completed

Yesterday (Tuesday 4 February) the Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner along with the Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans visited the depot of D&E Coaches. This followed the completion of the deal for the council to acquire the business.

There to meet them was the former owner Donald Mathieson, who started the business nearly 30 years ago with one minibus. Speaking to the media who were invited along to the depot yesterday afternoon he said:

"We've taken the company as far as we can and I'm now ready to retire from the business. Moving forward, we feel that the Council taking on ownership is the best move for the company, and everyone concerned, including our staff and customers."

There will however still be a family connection to the business as Donald's daughter Gayle McEwan is taking on the role of General Manager.

The Council spends around £25m on school and public transport throughout the region, with well over 300 separate contracts. The last tendering round saw an increase of £8m in one financial year, which led to the Council setting up an in-house bus team.

Council Leader Raymond Bremner said: "I see this deal very much as a positive move forward. D&E operate a significant number of school contracts for the Council, so we now can take ownership and look for opportunities in future tendering rounds to compete more effectively. However, I want to stress that we intend to operate D&E very much as a going concern so it’s business as usual. I wish Gayle all the very best in her role and we look forward to maintaining the legacy and service standards set by Donald and the whole team over the course of many years."

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Purchasing D&E Coaches on behalf of Highland Council is a fantastic opportunity and offers us more flexibility moving forward. D&E is a well-established company, and we’re delighted to have reached a deal. We’re looking forward to working with the same team who have a wealth of experience which will be of great benefit to Highland Council."

Earlier in the day the Council launched its new shopper service - the “108 Shopper Bus”, which will run every Tuesday and Thursday starting at Torvean Park and Ride. The route will be going through all the housing areas along Sir Walter Scott Drive (Distributor Road) to include Holm Dell, Culduthel Mains, Slackbuie, Miller Street, Boswell Road. It will then pass through the back of Inshes Retail Park and then go through the UHI Campus to the Inverness Shopping Park.

PHOTO
L to R - General Manager Gayle McEwan, former owner and Managing Director Donald Mathieson, Council Leader Cllr Raymond Bremner and Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.