Willie Bilsland is celebrating his diamond anniversary with dealers Hamilton Brothers after joining the company in 1960.

Willie outside outside Hamilton Brothers' Bishopton depot

Willie started his career with Hamilton Brothers in November 1960 when he joined their original Glasgow Road depot as an apprentice agricultural engineer, aged just 15.

Having grown up on a farm, Willie developed a passion for all things agricultural at an early age. Willie even completed his apprenticeship in just two years - something that would usually take four years back then.

Willie outside the Glasgow Road garage

When Hamilton Brothers moved to the Abercorn Street workshop, Willie was promoted to field service engineer where he carried out repairs on farms in
Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Argyll and the islands.

In the 1980s, Willie took on the role as service manager. During this time Willie won Merit Awards, including the ‘Master of Service Award’ from Massey Ferguson in 1985-1986 and Kubota Tractors ‘UK Service Manager of the year’ in 1991.

Willie with the Hamilton Bros van

In 2001, Willie moved back to the workshop as a service engineer and has worked in this post up to the present day, servicing and repairing tractors and groundcare machinery.

Eric Gardiner, managing director, said, "I am delighted to celebrate Willie’s 60th year anniversary working with Hamilton Bros. Having worked with Willie since I joined the company in 1983, I have witnessed his loyalty, devotion, and passion for what he does first-hand. He is the perfect example of everything we look for in a member of staff and more. Thank you for your continuous hard work and helping shape our company over the years."

All Willie's friends and colleagues at Hamilton Ross Group offer their congratulations on this lifetime achievement.