Alford Image Library

Hi Forbes
My name is Iain Watt and my Granddad was James Watt (a coachbuilder in Aberdeen) who I believe built the first charabang (bus) to go on a commercial route and his cousin was the driver. Question, could this driver be your father who appears in this photograph?

Cheers

Iain

Hi Iain
I've recently completed a book entitled 'A Hairst Tae Min' On' which is all about growing up in Alford during the 50's. Dod and his fellow drivers/conductresses figure in a section on the Alford buses. I hope to publish in autumn.

Hi Brian
Thanks for your response. I would like to purchase your book 'A Hairst Tae Min' On' when it comes out. Could you please let me know the cost when it comes out. By the way, I grew up in Insch, and my father was the District Sanitary Inspector, Bob Watt. I bought a racing bike from the local plumber in Alford in 1948, apparently both of his sons were killed in action in the Second World War, shot down over Europe, unfortunately I can't remember his name. You may remember him. My dad was brought up on a croft in the Torries O' Tough and both he and my mum are buried in the Tough Kirkyard as are my Grandparents and Great Grandparents. The croft was owned by Alex and Minnie McLennan. I now live in Australia. My email address is murraydene1@optusnet.com.au. Cheers Iain

Hi Brian, Please make it known when your book is on the shelves as it is a "must" for a quine brought up in the village. Rory was in my class at school. Cheers Babs Beaton (nee Harper)

Hi, Iain

Thanks for the comment but I can safely say that your grandfather's cousin was not my father. However, I seem to remember Dad mention once that he was one of possibly three drivers with the same surname so it could well have been one of the others. It would have been nice if it had been him because he would certainly have been proud of such a 'milestone', as would I.

The local plumber who lost his sons in the war was Mr Comfort.

Thanks Billy
You are correct. I bought that bike in 1947 when I was ten years old, I had just started First Year Secondary at "Insch Junior Public School" Query, did or even do you know any of my family as they are still living in the Lumphanan Area?

Great to see the comments your original photo has generated Forbes! Thanks for your interest in my forthcoming book Babs and Iain - I'm presently editing the first proof and will keep you updated if you let me have your email address (Babs). Mine is b.mcewan487@btinternet.com.

I have very similar photos of my grandfather in front of his bus in Aberdeen. I do not know how to attach them - but then they are Aberdeen not Alford.

Hi Carol,

I'd be interested to know your grandfather's name.
Was he an Alford driver?

Hi

My grandfather's name was William Findlay (1885-1967). There is definitely a connection to Alford but I have yet to find it. The nearest I have come is Bob and Maggie Spark who lived at Howeford Iverurie. I visited them a lot in the 1950's. Maggie was my grandfather's sister. However, as far as I know my grandfather was a bus driver in Aderdeen. I have a picture of him in front of the Kincorth Circular and the Torry bus.

Thanks, Carol, I thought perhaps my dad may have known him but it sounds like your grandfather was a driver with the Aberdeen Corporation Transport. However, I would have probaby travelled in his bus more than once as my granny lived in Kincorth and I used the Kincorth Circular a lot, especially after the trams to the Bridge of Dee had gone.

Hi Forbes

My grandfather was on a driver on the trams before he was on the buses. My granny also lived in that area - they had a house on the Nigg Brae.

Did you, by any chance, know the Sparks of Howeford Inverurie?

No, Carol, I'm afraid not.