West Coast Motors
The founding of the company dates back to 1921, 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. The company remained a Royal Mail contractor until October 2011.
In 1950, the business purchased Dickies of Tarbert, along with the service between East and West Loch Tarbert Piers. In 1955, haulage company West Coast Transport was formed. After purchasing James McPhee Haulage and Ramsays Haulage in 1963, the business was sold to British Road Services in 1966.
In 1970, McConnachie's was purchased, resulting in West Coast operating all services in the Kintyre area.[6] In 1982, McColls of Benderloch was purchased, along with the Oban to Benderloch and Easdale services. In 1986, Stag Garage of Lochgilphead was purchased, along with services to Ford, Kilmartin and Ormsary. In 1999, West Coast Motors purchased Oban & District Buses.
In 2004, West Coast Motors commenced operating in Bute and Cowal, after taking over services from Stagecoach, along with depots in Dunoon and Rothesay.[8] In 2006, service between Oban and Dalavich was purchased from L.F. Stewart & Son, along with Kilberry and Skipness services from D & E Henderson Hiring.
In January 2008, the City Sightseeing franchise in Glasgow was purchased, followed in 2009 by the Kintyre Express ferry operation. Kintyre Express later commenced operating a ferry service from Campbeltown to Ballycastle, in 2011.
In June 2013, Bowman's Tours on the Isle of Mull was purchased, along with 10 vehicles, and was renamed West Coast Tours. In November 2013, the company acquired Fairline Coaches in Glasgow, along with 16 vehicles