Thursday, January 20, 2022

BUSES, BEER & BURNS

In the last post I left you in Ayr, promising you a look at some buses and then beer. So, let's start with the buses. Ayr was served by AA Buses, owned by Dodd's of Troon and Young's of Ayr. Here's a couple of Dodd's vehicles.


 

Latterly, the Young's part of AA Buses had Leyland Lynx vehicles.


Western SMT was the biggest operator in Ayr and, in the late 1980s, were employing this 'retro' livery.



Stagecoach later took over all the above operators.



Other independents have included Keenan of Coalhall and Docherty's of Irvine.



Some beer is just being delivered.


So let's head for our first pub. We'll start at Ayr's oldest pub, the Tam O-Shanter.


Is there a large town without a Wetherspoons? Ayr has one, inside an impressive old church, the West Kirk.


I'm not certain that the Cariston Hotel is still in business. It used to sell a decent pint.


I'm informed that the Balgarth at Doonfoot, just outside Ayr, no longer serves real ale. A shame, as I enjoyed my visit back in 2008.


Close by is the village of Alloway, where Rabbie Burns' birthplace can be found. More info here. (Creative Commons License).


Leaving Greater Ayr behind, we reach the G&SWR station at Maybole.


Following the railway, we soon come to the coastal town of Girvan, where Scotrail's 156432 was photographed in 2001.


A fine signal box controlled movements at Girvan


We conclude this post with a visit to Girvan's harbour (Creative Commons License).


The next post will see us venturing into the wilds of Southwest Scotland. You can follow the route here.

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