Millport -A trip down memory lane on historic MacBrayne's bus

Lawrence, aged 77, drives for Kilwinning-based Shuttle Buses - but also owns a vintage coach of his very own.

He's planning to bring the vehicle back to the island for a trip down memory lane later this month.

Lawrence said: "I was at one time, a Millport resident, having worked in Bank of Scotland for a couple of years in the late 1970s. I loved my time there and look back on it with great affection.

"For over 30 years, I have owned a restored MacBrayne's 49 seater that was bought new in 1967 to run the Glasgow-Campbeltown service.

"At that time, MacBrayne's ran a fleet of buses and lorries along with their mail ships, but after 1970, concentrated on shipping only, and became the CalMac company we know today.

There is still much interest in the company's old buses all over the west coast.

On May 24, Lawrence is taking his own trip down memory lane by returning to Millport with his pride and joy.

He said: "I'm due to bring over my bus, with a party of bus enthusiasts, from the Merseyside area. The party will have spent the day on Bute on board another classic bus.

"I'm not due to arrive on Cumbrae until around 4pm, and will simply be giving them a run around the island - which for me will be something like a homecoming."

Lawrence is semi-retired but still has all his professional bus driving licences and now lives in Kilmarnock.

Lawrence at the steering wheel of his MacBrayne's Bus (Image: Lawrence MacDuff)

"I've been an enthusiast most of my professional working life," he said, "but I've always maintained a special place in heart in Millport and have taken Shuttle company buses on hire to the marine biological station and into the town.

"I haven't ever been over with the bus and it is an ideal opportunity to get back and refresh my memories."

Lawrence worked in the island bank from 1975-77, and said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time and was a keen photographer and loved being around the natural environment with beautiful sunsets and wildlife.

"I was young and unattached and it was a great time to be in Millport back then.

"I suppose my love of steamers and ferries came from growing up next to the Clyde, having been brought up in Dunoon at Innellan.

"Back in the 1960s, you had car ferries, excursions and small passenger launches, and the Clyde was a very busy place.

"Once I had got myself into banking, I saved my money and in 1990 I managed to buy this old MacBrayne's bus, which had always been a dream of mine.

"The ironic thing is that I probably could have spent as much on a nice flat in the south of France with all the money I have spent on buying and maintaining the bus over the years - but the exciting thing is I can travel anywhere and everywhere!"

A well known transport author, the late Robert Grieves, spotted the bus for sale in Northern Ireland and alerted his friend Lawrence to its availability.

They became part owners of the vehicle before Lawrence took sole ownership and completed its restoration in 1995.

Lawrence said: "Given the connection with MacBrayne and CalMac and they used to own a full fleet of these buses I feel the heritage link is very important."

The MacBrayne's bus has been used by the Royal National Mod as a PR vehicle for many years and it is also used for wedding hire.

It also has a secure future as Lawrence has a young friend who is a graduate engineer who will maintain it in future years.