Parent | Craig family |
---|---|
Founded | 1923 |
Headquarters | Campbeltown |
Service area |
Argyll & Bute Glasgow Scottish Borders Berwick-upon-tweed |
Service type | Bus, coach and ferry services |
Fleet | 191 (November 2013) |
Operator |
Glasgow Citybus Perryman's Buses Borders Buses |
Chief executive | Colin Craig |
Website | www.westcoastmotors.co.uk |
West Coast Motors is a bus, coach and ferry operator based in Campbeltown, Argyll.
The founding of the company dates back to 1923 when Jack Craig commenced a bus operation in Campbeltown. In 1935 William Craig convinced the Royal Mail to allow him to commence an overnight road service from Campbeltown to Glasgow in lieu of transporting mail by ship. West Coast Motors would remain a Royal Mail contractor until October 2011.
In 1950 the business of Dickies of Tarbert was purchased with the service between East and West Loch Tarbert piers. In 1955 haulage company West Coasts Transport was formed. After purchasing James McPhee Haulage and Ramsays Haulage in 1963, the business was sold to the British Road Services in 1966.
In 1970 the McConnachies business was purchased resulting in West Coast operating all Kintyre services. In 1982 McColls of Benderloch was purchased with the Oban to Benderloch and Easdale services. In 1986 Stag Garage of Lochgilphead was purchased with services to Ford, Kilmartin and Ormsary. In 1999 the Oban & District Buses business was purchased.
In 2004 West Coast commenced operating in Bute and Cowal taking over services from Stagecoach with depots in Dunoon and Rothesay. In 2006 the Oban to Dalavich service was purchased from LF Stewart & Son Limited and Kilberry and Skipness services from D&E Henderson Hiring. Also purchased in 2006 was Glasgow Citybus.