Painter is ready to hang up brushes as Billy Corbett from Inverness retires after more than 40 years service with Highland Council
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A painter and decorator has just started a well-earned break as he has retired after more than 40 years service with Highland Council.
Billy Corbett, who turned 66 this month, left the council on his birthday and has worked in the trade for more than 50 years.
When he left school before he was 16 years old he started a few months’ casual painting work for his late uncle, Billy Forbes, who had his own business at the time.
He began his apprenticeship with an established Inverness firm, Grieg’s Painters, which was based in Rose Street, in the early 1970s.
Mr Corbett has a long association with Clachnacuddin FC and the foreman painter, the late Dan Fridge, was a fellow supporter. Mr Corbett said he taught him a lot during his early career which stayed with him to this day.
However, halfway through his apprenticeship, the business went into liquidation but he managed to get taken on by another painting firm, Hastie’s Painters, which was based in Inverness’s Castle Street, and he managed to successfully finish his apprenticeship there.
Once he had qualified, he worked at Mackay and Ross, in Wells Street, Halls the Builders in the Carse Estate, as well as a Dundee-based firm, MacLean and Stewart, which did local interior and exterior contracts in Inverness and the rest of the Highlands.
His longest time with one employer was with the local authority in its various incarnations – joining in March 1980.
He was initially based at the old council depot in Harbour Road before relocating to the present base in Diriebught Road, in Inverness, a few years ago.
Mr Corbett said he had seen many changes over the past 41 years – when he started there were a total of 90 general tradesmen including around 20 painters and decorators. He said: “There are only eight painters now.”
As well as painters and decorators, the council also employed other trades, including plumbers, joiners and electricians, in the council maintenance section. He said: “Only two people are still there from when I first started.”
Mr Corbett, who lives in Kessock Road, remembered working alongside some, what he described as “legendary” and well-known local figures during his time with the council including Billy Orrock, Roger Cran, Willie Deans, Mike “Gemmell” Shewan, who was also his great friend for many years, as well as the late Duncan Allison and Bob Falconer.
He said he was looking forward to life after finishing work, adding: “I have really enjoyed it – particularly the early days.
“My retirement now gives me more time to devote to my one-year-old granddaughter Caelin.
“I will be also following my two beloved football teams – Clachnacuddin and Celtic – and spending more time with my lovely partner Brenda.”
Lachie MacDonald, the council’s repairs manager (south), said: “One of his latest apprentices has said if he could sum up William in three words it would be ‘simply the best’.
“A fellow painter colleague described William as an absolute gentleman, and it was a pleasure to have worked alongside him.
“On behalf of his colleagues at Highland Council, we would like to thank William for his dedicated and long service to the council and wish him a long and happy retirement.”
