IN A1 TERRITORY

 Despite the title of this post, Western SMT was once the main bus operator in Kilmarnock. In the town's depot we see a former Bristol Lodekka cut down to a towing vehicle.

In the bus station we find this Leyland Leopard/Plaxton, purchased by Westernn SMT with the services of Paton Bros of Renfrew.

One of the last liveries applied to Western SMT buses is seen on this Leyland National. Kilmarnock bus station, 1993.

Western SMT was later sold to the Stagecoach Group. This photo is from 1996.

Kilmarnock represented the southernmost normal terminus of the A1 Services co-operative. There was a bus station/depot in the town.

By 1977, A1 was using the town's new bus station. Here's a rare Volvo Ailsa/Van Hool McArdle.

The services of A1 were also taken over by Stagecoach. This ex London Leyland Titan has received the A1 identity in 1996.

Several Stagecoach buses were painted into A1 colours!

There were several small operators running services in Kilmarnock after deregulation. These included Clyde Coast and Shuttle Buses.

To Kilmarnock railway station now, where we find 76097 in a bay platform.

Class 156 units later handled the majority of services at Kilmarnock, two being seen here in different Scotrail liveries.

We now leave Kilmarnock behind and head north for a couple of miles to Kilmaurs, where we find the Weston Tavern, a fine boozer at the time of the photo (1990s), but now it describes itself as a "gastropub".

A couple of miles away is the village of Crosshouse, where certain constituents of the A1 Services co-operative kept some vehicles.

Another company, Gilmour's Coaches, was also based in Crosshouse.

To the south, on the Kilmarnock to Barrasie line, was Gatehead station, long closed, but the signal box was still there in 1983, controlling the level crossing.

More A1 vehicles were garaged at nearby Dreghorn.

Now we come to the town of Irvine and, in the town centre, we call in at the Turf Hotel. It's on CAMRA's heritage pubs list.

Down by the harbour is the Ship Inn. Sadly, it is closed long-term at the moment.

Happliy, not far away is the Marina Inn.

We'll look at the rest of Irvine and places nearby in the next post.

NOT TOO MUCH BEER IN THIS PART OF SCOTLAND.

 Having now left Dumfries behind, we venture across country to Lockerbie. Here's an old photo of the town.

Western SMT had a depot in Lockerbie.

Lockerbie station is on the West Coast Main Line. Back in 2001, Virgin liveried 47827 arrives southbound.

We follow the WCML north to Beattock, once the junction for Moffat. One of the bankers, 42774, is seen awaiting its next duty.

Withdrawn in the shed yard, 54507, in 1966 (Les Flint).

Les Flint also photographed the more modern stuff, including D1837 on a Freightliner service, passing Beattock in 1966.

The Moffat branch concluded at a small terminus, seen in 1931.

These days, Moffat is only served by bus. White Star no longer runs to Carlisle.

Our next stop is Thornhill, where the Post Office once kept several postbuses. These photos were taken in 1981 (top) and 1986 (below).

A bus company called Leith's was based at the next large(ish) town towards Glasgow, named Sanquhar. I believe a small amount of stage carriage work was undertaken.

The Post Office had a small fleet of estate cars for postbus services in Sanquhar.

As we head further towards the Ayrshire coast, we enter an area once known for coal mining. Ths justified Western SMT having a depot at Cumnock.

Two miles away is the village of Auckinlech, where Messrs Liddel kept buses for contract duties.

A similar operation was run by Pettigrew's of Mauchline.

Due north of Mauchline is Galston, home to another bus company, mainly operating contract duties, but at least their vehicles received a proper paint job, includng the AEC Matador 'wrecker'.

And so to Kimrnock, where we end this post with a beer. But, disaster! The Hunting Lodge pub has now closed.

Thankfully, Wetherspoons save the day. The Wheatsheaf is a good place to conclude.

We'll wander around Kilmarnock and district in the next post. Remember, one can follow the route (all the way from Gravesend) here.

AND SO TO DUMFRIES

Let's start in the town centre. Here's an old postcard of Buccleuch Street (no, I don't know how to pronounce it).

The area down by the River Nith is known as Whitesands. It was once the cattle market.

It later became a bus terminal.

In normal weather the Nith looks quite benign, but it has had its moments over the years - not on any of my visits thankfully.

Back in 1981, Western SMT was the main operator using the Whitesands terminus.

Western SMT was later taken over by Stagecoach.

Several small independents have served Dumfries. This Ford/Plaxton saloon was owned by Peacocks of Locharbriggs.

In a similar livery, a Willowbrook saloon in the hands of Carruthers of New Abbey.

Gibson's ran a service to its home town of Moffat.

MacEwan was one of the larger independents, with a varied fleet.

Dumfries & Galloway Council also run some bus services.

Now, let's go into the town centre, where we find the big church and the inevitable Robbie Burns statue.

Another impressive building in town has been converted into a Wetherspoons, the Robert the Bruce.

The Tam o'Shanter was always a good bet for a decent pint, but it's future looks uncertain. Keep up to date on Whatpub.

Fortunately, the Globe seems to be happily trading.

Good reports have been received regarding the Douglas Arms.

Another decent hostelry is the Cavens Arms.

We return to Whitesands, where we find one of my favourites, the New Bazaar. Apparently, Queen of the South FC was founded here.

Dumfries railway station is a bit of a walk out of town, so let's take this unusual Stagecoach bus.

Outside the station is the Waverley Bar, but I'm told it no longer sells real ale.

The Glasgow & South Western Railway built Dumfries station.

The G&SWR had a loco shed here, later taken over by the LMS.

Dumfries station has retained many of its original features.

Most services are run by 'Sprinter' type diesel units.

Well, that's it for Dumfries. The next offering will take us further into the hills.