About Us

Established in 1921, Robertson Gemini is proud to be a family-owned business and although under new ownership we continue to build the business into our second century. We take pride in offering a personal service individually tailored to our private and corporate motorists.  

Reliable, fair, and above all cost-effective service is a major factor for us to ensure we provide a quality experience to everyone. We look forward to meeting you and building a long-term relationship.

Our Story

Robertson Gemini was established in Dalbeattie in 1921 by William Robertson. Initially William, an Aberdonian, worked as a shoemaker in the town but in 1921 he set up the Robertson garage.

The garage was situated on the site of The Skeoch Utility Cyclecar company. These unique cars aimed to fill a gap in the market for small, inexpensive cars. Around ten were manufactured in Dalbeattie for £180 each. The building was destroyed by fire, and sadly no examples of the car exist today. William Robertson took over the site and opened his garage.

William Robertson with a 1923 Morris Ten 6

Robertson's garage on the right, with car parked outside

The business passed to William’s son in the 1950's and continued to grow. As well as the business of car repairs and maintenance, it also provided taxis, cars, 'scaffy wagons' and farm machinery. In the early 1960's it was passed to Stewart Robertson, a mere boy of 13, when his father passed away. The foreman ran the business while Stewart completed his education and served his apprenticeship at Thomas Corrie Ltd. The businesses expanded with the opening of the Castle Douglas branch in 1993 – taking over the Thomas Corrie establishment (a well-respected garage) at Morris House in Cotton Street. That same year also saw the Dalbeattie branch have a major refit, including a new forecourt, with extra fuel pumps, and a shop.

 

The new Robertson's in Dalbeattie

By 1999 the majority of the business was transferred to the larger Castle Douglas premises, and the Dalbeattie operation became the Esso filling station, as it stands today. Robertsons was proud to be the only Rover franchise in Dumfries & Galloway at the time, and Stewart was appointed as a Rover 75 specialist. As well as a shrewd businessman and excellent mechanic, Stewart had a passion for rally driving. He often competed in the Galloway Hills Rally and other local challenges, but also further afield, including Brands Hatch, Donnington and Silverstone to name but a few. Not content with car rallying, he also took up mountain biking and founded the Dalbeattie Hard Rock Challenge; Robertson Gemini proudly continues to support the event.

 

Rally Driving

Tragically Stewart had an untimely death in 2010 while out mountain biking and the reins of the business were taken up by his wife Caroline, where Robertson Gemini continued to thrive with Caroline at the helm. In 2023 Caroline decided it was time to pass the the company on to someone else and Stephen Houston and Ashley Madeley took over the business. Having both worked here for several years the change was seamless and the business continues to go from strength the strength under their ownership. 

 

Stephen and Ashley

 

VAT No. 263 3371 68  •  Registered in Scotland SC144441  •  FCA No. 749058

Robertson Gemini Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 749058. Registered Address: 96-98 Cotton Street, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway DG7 1AN

We act as a credit broker, not a lender. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow). The lenders we work with could pay commission at different rates. All finance is subject to status and income. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 years or over.