Award highlights respect from within the motor trade and follows a year of customer-first service and community involvement.
Highland-based dealership Culloden Cars has closed out 2025 on a high after owner Craig Walker was voted Dealers’ Dealer of the Year at the prestigious Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards, an accolade widely recognised across the industry as one of the most respected marks of excellence.
As a peer-voted category, this award is regarded as one of the most meaningful of the night, reflecting the trust and respect Craig has earned within the industry.
It serves as a fitting conclusion to a year shaped by strong growth, innovation and a commitment to community-focused values.
Craig Walker, Managing Director at Culloden Cars, said:
“To be recognised by people within our industry means more than I can put into words.
“I have always believed that if you do right by your customers, support your team and help others along the way, the rest takes care of itself.
“This award tells us that the way we operate is not only seen, but valued, and we are genuinely humbled and proper chuffed.”
Beyond the Dealers’ Dealer recognition, 2025 has been an exceptionally strong year for Craig and the Culloden Cars team.
The business took home the UK Independent Customer Care Award at the Motor Trader Awards earlier this year, as well as receiving Highly Commended in the Independent Dealer of the Year category.
At the same awards, sister company Top Car Services also gained significant recognition by reaching the finals for Independent Garage of the Year.
Closer to home, Culloden Cars earned recognition at the Highland Business Awards, after winning Best Marketing Campaign for its innovative and increasingly popular YouTube series Dealership Diaries.
As part of this, the team received an incredible £10,000 in airtime from STV.
“We started Dealership Diaries to be transparent,” shared Craig.
“We wanted to show people what really goes on behind the scenes of a local dealership, including all the highs, the lows, the setbacks and decisions and, most of all, the daft moments we share.”
The weekly series, which began in May 2025, and is released every Sunday at 6pm, has built an actively engaged audience of more than 1.55k subscribers, with episodes consistently attracting between 1,000 and 2,500 views.
“We’re not actors and we definitely don’t pretend to be.
“It’s just us doing our day job with a camera attached.
“And honestly, to see customers, people in the trade and viewers from further afield engaging with it has been amazing.”
However, awards and online success are not what drive the business alone.
Throughout the year, Culloden Cars has also actively supported a range of regional initiatives, including grassroots sports, youth development, charity aid, and local community events.
This includes Bangers4BEN, sponsorship and attendance at this year’s Highland Car & Track Show, and sponsorship support of Nairn County FC, Nairn Pool League, Mikeysline, Forres and Nairn Welfare Fourball Association, as well as sponsoring the Primary School Teacher Category in the Highland Hero’s Awards.
Craig commented:
“We don’t just work in the Highlands, we’re 100% part of it.
“Our customers are our neighbours, teammates and friends.
“Whether we are backing a charity rally, cheering from the sidelines of a youth match or helping a community project get off the ground, it all comes from the same place.
“We are here because of this community and we will always give back to it.”
Culloden Cars is a premier used car dealership based in Inverness, Scotland.
Committed to providing quality vehicles and exceptional customer service, it has established itself as a trusted name within the automotive industry.
Its recent merger with Top Car Services has further expanded its offering, making it a popular choice for anyone looking to buy or sell a car.
For more information about Culloden Car Sales, visit www.cullodencarsales.co.uk
Alternatively, you can follow Culloden Cars on Facebook and Instagram.
