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Withdrawn in the shed yard, 54507, in 1966 (Les Flint).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