For your next Scottish vacation ... Cadillac style!

[veesixteen]

http://www.findglocal.com/GB/Rothesay/2306180699667755/Cadillac-Kustomz-Hotel

This story is about a 1959 Cadillac; it is "fascinating". Unless there are TWO identical cars. I believe this is the one that was STOLEN from my friend's home on the outskirts of Paris, in the mid-80s. It was owned by a fellow club member of ACCF (American Car Club de France). I used to write the Club's "Cadillac" column. I never really followed the story; I resigned from the ACCF in the '80s after a "disagreement" with its president (it seems "presidents" and I don`t always see eye-t-eye).

I knew I had seen that car before ... 40 years earlier. I never heard any more about the car until I saw it - or one identical to it - in the Ukraine (formerly the USSR), about 4 months ago. It was for sale there. It appears to have been acquired by an American citizen, a resident of Scotland ... unlike me, a citizen of Scotland resident in America !

He owns this high-end hotel on the island. As you will see from his brochure it is "Cadillac themed" and popular with UK enthusiasts of the marque and of "Yank Tanks" (American cars)  in general. He has even given me some recognition, since I am familiar with the island and often spent time touring there ... from our former home in Switzerland! 

If any of you ever make it over, you will be surprised how cordial Scots folks can be ... and how "crazy" some of them are about Cadillacs! We know the island well. Very pretty! The climate can be very mild too, as it sits on the Gulf Stream. There are few places in Scotland where you can find palm trees and ... (friendly) basking sharks!

Gita and I have NOT yet visited the hotel ... but we are planning a trip next Fall.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Next time I'm back in Scotland (the country of my birth) I might just have to make a detour. Phil

[als58caddy]

Thats interesting!

I'm only a 90min drive (and ferry crossing) from Rothesay so may pop over there for a look once the weather is a bit better...and the travel restrictions are lifted

[veesixteen]

Thats interesting!

I'm only a 90min drive (and ferry crossing) from Rothesay so may pop over there for a look once the weather is a bit better...and the travel restrictions are lifted

Where are you located? I'm (originally) from Balloch, at the foot of Loch Lomond.

You are in for a surprise! Much has changed in the town of Rothesay since I took Gita and the kids there (last time, in 1977!). I spoke to the owner by PM, last week, and he says the "stolen" 1959 Caddy "Series 60 Special" is a hoax; he has the full history of the car; it was first delivered to a buyer in London, that year. Yes, he found the car in Kiev, Ukraine (and why not?). The '59-60S stolen in Paris is NOT this one.

BTW, my young brother Alan (who, sadly, passed in June this year) was a pupil at Rothesay academy in 1959-60.

Photos: Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute, fall 1969, with my (then) '67 Mustang and (then) wife... as well as a few 59-60S Cadillacs from my collection!

[als58caddy]

Where are you located? I'm (originally) from Balloch, at the foot of Loch Lomond.

You are in for a surprise! Much has changed in the town of Rothesay since I took Gita and the kids there (last time, in 1977!). I spoke to the owner by PM, last week, and he says the "stolen" 1959 Caddy "Series 60 Special" is a hoax; he has the full history of the car; it was first delivered to a buyer in London, that year. Yes, he found the car in Kiev, Ukraine (and why not?). The '59-60S stolen in Paris is NOT this one.

BTW, my young brother Alan (who, sadly, passed in June this year) was a pupil at Rothesay academy in 1959-60.

Photos: Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute, fall 1969, with my (then) '67 Mustang and (then) wife... as well as a few 59-60S Cadillacs from my collection!

I spent my childhood in Renfrew and currently living in Beith. I know Balloch and that area fairly well as we would take the cars and friends for a run up there and for the odd BBQ on the loch side. We also took the dogs for many s walk up at the country park and the castle.

The last time i was in Rothesay would be when i was 8 or 9 so i would have expected it to have changed in those 40-odd years, lol!!

I had no idea that there was a Cadillac themed hotel over there, will hopefully get over for a visit next year at some point hopefully when all this covid stuff eases.

I'm always amazed at where Cadillacs seem to end up, we were in Doha in 2007 and there is a '59 limo that used to belong to the Emir and its displayed (in a very large Perspex box) in the local GM dealership.

Fab pictures