Seen loading in Perth City Centre on a run to Dundee via Blairgowrie is Northern Scottish NT201 (JSS201V), a Ford R1014 with Alexander Y-Type bodywork that was new in 7/1980. Among the constituents of the state-owned Scottish Bus Group, Northern Scottish (along with Highland Omnibuses) were the runts of the litter, not getting the best of the mother’s milk when it came to new vehicle orders. Thinly-populated operating territories meant that these companies contributed less revenues to the SBG coffers than, for example Central or Western Scottish. Fleet renewal at poor Highland Omnibuses was limited to older cast-offs from other SBG companies. Lightweight chassis which offered lower running costs were another solution. Thus Northern Scottish acquired several batches of Ford R1014 vehicles. The purchase price was well below that of the heavyweight Leyland PSU3 Leopard, a type that was itself getting long in the tooth, but the Ford engineering was even more rudimentary, with a 6-litre vertical engine mounted ahead of the front axle. They lacked robustness and Ford R1014s did not enjoy long lives with Northern Scottish and other SBG users, NT201 being sold on in 1987 to Wiles of Port Seton. It ceased to be taxed after 5/1993.
April 1984
Yashica FR-1 camera
Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.
Tags: jss201v perth northern scottish scottish bus group nt201 alexander y-type ford r1014
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Attired as bus inspectors usually were in a navy blue gaberdine coat and peaked cap, the inspector duly notes the arrival of Midland Scottish MRA2 (YMS702R) at the Mill Street stance on a local Perth service. New in 5/1977, the bus carried Alexander bodywork, later becoming SV2 when Scottish Bus Group reorganised its operations to form Strathtay Scottish. It is recorded as last being taxed in 11/1991.
April 1984
Yashica FR-1 camera
Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.
Tags: yms702r perth mra2 scottish bus group midland scottish bus inspector ailsa volvo b55 ailsa volvo b55
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A wooden statue of the Scottish bard dating from 1873 located above the former location of the Burns Club in Perth.
April 1984
Yashica FR-1 camera
Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.
Tags: perth robert burns rabbie burns burns club
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The fleet of long-standing Scottish independent A.&C. McLennan of Spittalfield is represented in force at its regular stance in Mill Street, Perth. Prominent is former Dundee Corporation/Tayside Regional Transport Daimler CRG6 Fleetline GYJ404G, new in 5/1969. A sister bus stands behind, possibly GYJ402G. The two buses are on a private hire job, the Plaxton-bodied coach at the left could be on McLennan’s stage service to Spittalfield, via Blairgowrie.
A.&C. McLennan is notable for being the very first acquisition made by the recently-established Perth operator, Stagecoach. More, many more would follow. This event occurred in 1985. The ex-Tayside Fleetlines were never daubed with the Stagecoach stripes but were sold on to the English Potteries operator, Beresford’s of Cheddleton, where they retained the McLennan livery.
April 1984
Yashica FR-1 camera
Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.
Tags: gyj404g perth mclennans of spittalfield a&c mclennan daimler fleetline daimler crg6 alexander bodywork
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Passing an interesting array of local shops in Perth city centre, Alexander Fife FPE68 (XSG68R) is seen bound for Newburgh on the Fife side of the River Tay. It was an Alexander Y-Type bodied Leyland PSU3, one of many hundreds delivered to the Scottish Bus Group from the mid-1960s into the very early 1980s. This bus had a peripatetic existence during its working life with the SBG. Delivered to the Fife subsidiary in 7/1977, it was transferred to Alexander Midland in 8/1987 as MPE441, then becoming L868 in the Highland Scottish fleet one year later. Another Flickr posting shows the bus in the Far North at Thurso, in 1995. The DVLA records that XSG68R was last taxed in 7/2000.
April 1984
Yashica FR-1 camera
Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.
Tags: xsg68r fpe68 mpe441 alexander fife fife scottish scottish bus group alexander midland highland scottish highland country perth leyland leopard leyland psu3 alexander y-type l868
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