Since its inception West Coast Motors has remained privately owned by the Craig family and headquartered in Campbeltown, Argyll.
From humble beginnings in the early 1920's, the company now employs approximately 550 staff and has a fleet of over 250 buses and coaches. The company incorporates the following brands:
- City Sightseeing Glasgow, Bute and Oban
- Glasgow Citybus
- Kintyre Express
- West Coast Tours
- Fairline Coaches Ltd
- Borders Buses Ltd
- Scotline Tours
For those who would like to know a bit more about our company, we’ve compiled a chronological history of West Coast Motors with some wonderful images that give an insight in to the growth and development that made us who we are today.
A history of West Coast Motors
2018
West Coast Motors acquired the Scotline Tours brand in May. Scotline, located on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, operates a tour programme across Scotland.
2017
2016
2013
Fairline Coaches Ltd acquired from Mr Pawan Sood creating a dedicated private hire division in Glasgow.
Bowman's Coaches' tour and local bus services acquired on the Isle of Mull
2009
2006
2004
1995
West Coast Motors commenced operation of the services to Inverness for Scottish Citylink.
New premises were built in Oban.
1987
1986
The Scottish bus industry was de-regulated. The newly formed Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd invited West Coast Motors to operate the 926 Campbeltown – Glasgow service on their behalf.
1982
1972
William S. G. Craig died aged 69 and ownership of the business passed to R. H. and William G. Craig.
1970
1966
West Coast Transports was sold to Scottish Road Services.
1963
1950
1938
William McKerral's Southend to Campbeltown service acquired.
1936
Benmore Distillery was purchased by Jack Craig and West Coast Motors Service Company moved in.
Benmore Distillery opened in 1868 and stopped producing whisky in 1927. A condition of the sale of the distillery was a restriction in the use of the name ‘Benmore’ which was a whisky brand.
The spelling was changed by Jack and William to ‘Benmhor’ and the name remains to this day.
1935
1927
1925
Regular bus service commenced from Tarbert to Campbeltown.
David Craig moved to Tarbert.