News

Angus family garage firm Fiskens of Forfar has passed a significant milestone with the celebration of its half century.

From humble beginnings in a village garage near the Angus town, opened in February 1971, the company remains a prominent name within the Tayside motor trade, employing a staff of around 40 at its Queenswell Road base.

It has also announced a single-focus commitment to Korean manufacturer Kia as it looks to the future following a pandemic year described as “the most difficult, challenging at at times… heart-breaking” in the firm’s history.

Founded by Ian and Vivian Fisken, had its origins at Kingsmuir Garage, between Forfar and Letham.

“It took a while to build up, but we were often selling eight to 10 cars a week, which was pretty good going for a little garage in Kingsmuir.” recalled Ian.

“Viv and I worked night and day, it was hard going, but happy days – I’ve been a member of Forfar Golf Club for 68 years now but I don’t think I hit a golf ball for the first five years after we started the garage.”

In November 1976, the business expanded to the former Sturrock’s garage in Forfar’s Queenswell Road.

It maintained the Kingsmuir operation, with Toyota becoming the first manufacturer franchise in 1975, an association which lasted until 2002.

Toyota was replaced by Kia and the company was also a Subaru dealer.

The Kingsmuir site was sold in 1990 and is now housing.

After a lengthy association with Vauxhall, the company, now with the couple’s younger son, Dougal, at the helm, is about to end that relationship.

Dougal said: “We are now looking forward to concentrating all our efforts on the Kia brand.

“It is the rising star of the motor industry with major investment in technology, innovation, design and ever-evolving electric vehicles.

“The past year has been very difficult for everyone, but these are exciting times for both the town of Forfar and Fiskens.”

Ian, 84 and Vivian, 80, plan to continue to enjoy a lifelong passion for classic vehicles – an avenue which has seen the couple’s other son, Gregor, establish himself as one of the globe’s leading dealers in classic and racing cars.