Duncan MacLennan and Shieldaig

Saturday 27 May 1967 - Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route. In 1948 he acquired this Austin bus which featured two large opening doors at the rear to load the mail and general goods. The Ross-shire Journal newspaper dated Friday 24th May 1963 reported that Duncan (Senior) was invested with the British Empire Medal when he retired after a period of 45 years service as the driver and mail contractor. His son, Duncan (Junior), then took over the role. By the time of this photograph the Austin was no longer in service and Duncan (Junior) was using a 1966 Ford Transit mini-bus on the service (EJS 506D).

Saturday 27 May 1967 - Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route. In 1948 he acquired this Austin bus which featured two large opening doors at the rear to load the mail and general goods. The Ross-shire Journal newspaper dated Friday 24th May 1963 reported that Duncan (Senior) was invested with the British Empire Medal when he retired after a period of 45 years service as the driver and mail contractor. His son, Duncan (Junior), then took over the role. By the time of this photograph the Austin was no longer in service and Duncan (Junior) was using a 1966 Ford Transit mini-bus on the service (EJS 506D).

Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route. In 1948 he acquired this Austin bus which featured two large opening doors at the rear to load the mail and general goods. The Ross-shire Journal newspaper dated Friday 24th May 1963 reported that Duncan (Senior) was invested with the British Empire Medal when he retired after a period of 45 years service as the driver and mail contractor. His son, Duncan (Junior) - who might be the boy in the photograph, then took over the role. (Photograph courtesy of Duncan MacLennan)

A tax disc for the 14 seat Austin bus (DST 358) which Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated on his service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron - a service on which Mr. MacLennan held the contract to carry the Royal Mail. In 1948 he bought the Austin which had a body equipped with large rear doors to accommodate the mail and general goods. Four months road tax for 4 pounds 8 shillings (£4.40). Note the seating capacity is quoted on beneath the price.

Monday 29 May 1967 - Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route for many years. When he retired in 1963 his son Duncan (Junior) continued the role. In 1966 Ford Transit mini-bus EJS 506D was acquired and it is seen here outside Shieldaig Post Office about to depart for Strathcarron. (I am posed with the bus as I was about to leave for home after a few days in the village).

Monday 29 May 1967 - Unfortunately I had a problem with my film and so the only photographs I took of this bus suffered from light damage. Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route for many years. When he retired in 1963 his son Duncan (Junior) continued the role. In 1966 Ford Transit mini-bus EJS 506D was acquired and it is seen here on the platform of Strathcarron railway station as Duncan (junior) loaded goods and mail for the return journey to Shieldaig.

Monday 29 May 1967 - Unfortunately I had a problem with my film and so the only photographs I took of this bus suffered from light damage. Duncan MacLennan (Senior) operated the bus service from Shieldaig to Strathcarron and held the Royal Mail contract to carry mails on the route for many years. When he retired in 1963 his son Duncan (Junior) continued the role. In 1966 Ford Transit mini-bus EJS 506D was acquired and it is seen here on the platform of Strathcarron railway station as Duncan (junior) loaded goods and mail for the return journey to Shieldaig.

Pre-1964 timetable for the Shieldaig to Strathcarron mail bus service operated by Duncan MacLennan (Senior) for many years. The Ross-shire Journal newspaper dated Friday 24th May 1963 reported that Duncan (Senior) was invested with the British Empire Medal when he retired after a period of 45 years service as the driver and mail contractor. His son, Duncan (Junior), then took over the role. (Note the mis-prints: Kishorn and the incorrect Kishore. Shieldaig and the incorrect Sheildaig)

An extract from the 1927 LMS Railway timetable showing outline details of the Strathcarron-Shieldaig 'mail car' service.

An extract from the 1927 LMS Railway timetable showing the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh railway service. From Strathcarron station there was a mail bus service which conveyed goods and passengers via Lochcarron and Kishorn to Shieldaig.

May 1967 - A view of Shieldaig village from the north. The village was created to train sailors to fight Napoleon. Building started in 1810 but the defeat of Napoleon soon after changed the situation. The road from Lochcarron was a 'cul-de-sac' until the 1960s when a link through to Torridon was established.

May 1967 - A view of Shieldaig village from the north. The village was created to train sailors to fight Napoleon. Building started in 1810 but the defeat of Napoleon soon after changed the situation. The road from Lochcarron was a 'cul-de-sac' until the 1960s when a link through to Torridon was established.

May 1967 - A view of Shieldaig village from the south. The village was created to train sailors to fight Napoleon. Building started in 1810 but the defeat of Napoleon soon after changed the situation. The road from Lochcarron was a 'cul-de-sac' until the 1960s when a link through to Torridon was established.

This map contained in the Highlands and Islands Public Transport timetable shows (in block 10 second from top left) the location of Shieldaig. Duncan MacLennan's bus route to Strathcarron railway station is shown by timetable number 652.

It was this article by G Irvine Millar covering 'The Mail Bus Services of North-West Scotland' that began my interest in the subject for years to come - and I pay homage to Mr Millar for creating such an interesting work. It featured in 'Buses Annual' 1964 (published in 1963), a book published by Ian Allan Limited. Page 6 shows a photograph of Duncan MacLennan (Senior) with hus Austin bus, DST 358.