Kirkintilloch – Kilsyth
The big adventure began rather mundanely with a car trip from Lenzie to Kirkintilloch.   The most direct way from Kirkintilloch to neighbouring Kilsyth was down the main road using the (20) Glasgow to Falkirk service.   However this was a day for experiment, so I caught the (192) service from Glasgow to Kilsyth which ran via Twechar.   An NMS-M (MPE172/181)  Leopard from Midland's Kilsyth depot operated the journey through all the back roads.

Kilsyth – Airdrie
Scenic Kilsyth swathed in a sea of grey council houses – a site for sore eyes.   Reluctantly I left this hot spot on Midland MPE323 (ULS323T) which at this time was dedicated to the Airdrie route.   It passed through Cumbernauld town centre, scene of the then recently released film Gregory’s Girl and eventually escaped from the roundabout trap to arrive in Airdrie.

Airdrie – Hamilton
The bus station at Airdrie used to stand opposite Broomfield, home of Airdrieonians football club.   All three have now sadly disappeared.   Members of the MHS-P batch of Central Leopards though are still going strong (somewhere), and it was one of these erstwhile creatures that took me over the hills and far away to Hamilton.   And over a few more hills as well.

Hamilton – Kilmarnock
Originally the (42) route ran from Airdrie to Ayr.   However after Scotmap in the 1980’s, the service was curtailed at either end to run from Hamilton to Kilmarnock.   I travelled on an RSD-R Seddon from Kilmarnock depot, recently repainted into red/cream lviery.   As the journey progressed it became increasingly hot in the lunchtime sun, so despite it’s uncomfortable high-backed dual-purpose seats, I was soon snoozing through scenic Strathaven.

Kilmarnock – Mauchline
A Cumnock based Leopard (one of CL41-44, GCS-V batch) operated the Kilmarnock to New Cumnock service, packed full of big Ayrshire women with big shopping bags.   I sat in the middle back seat amongst swaying Tesco’s groceries.

Mauchline – Ayr
Mauchline is not a natural tourist destination and can seem a bit uninviting on a cloudy afternoon in August.   However I was duty bound to spend 35 minutes there waiting for a Seddon (YSD-T or ASD-T) to appear.   It had to be on time as I had a fifteen minute connection window for the next journey on my trip.   Fortunately everything went to plan and it delivered me beneath the Mecca sign in Ayr bus station (still there) spot on time.