Farms using gps

Harry Mackintosh has listed many of the farms which used GPs during the 1930s and ’40s.

The first one sold was the earlier type, to Lord Forres of Glen Ogil.

Others were sold new to Findlay of Bogardo, Mains of Balfour at Kingolderum, and Murdie of Baggerto, who also requested a Mackintosh lift.

Cowpar of Migvie bought a new one, later replacing it with a fourwheel MH Challenger in 1938.

Smith of Kinclune’s new one lasted until 1948, when it was replaced by an MH 44K.

Second-hand examples were sold to Bennett of Arniefoul, who had two, and to Idvies, whose example came out of Mackintosh’s contracting fleet.

These GP contracting tractors worked hard during the plough up campaign, with ploughing carried out on land adjacent to the River Garry at Blair Atholl.

Further examples noted on the north side of the Tay included a pair at Lochton at Abernyte, one at Kinpurnie and one at Scones of Lethendy.

Perhaps the most famous ones north of the Tay were the ones belonging to Sir Thomas Wedderspoon at Castleton of Eassie who had six in his fleet.

These were used in the potato crop.

They travelled great distances on spraying duties.

By 1942 they had been replaced by a pair of three-wheel Challengers, two John Deeres and a Caterpillar D2.

The late vintage tractor collector Ian Beverly had two in his collection that he acquired from the Bridge of Cally area.

The north of Fife had a high population, with the bulk sold by JBW Smith of Cupar, although George Baxter of Milnathort may have been responsible for selling others, along with several other concerns offering MH equipment.

The vast majority of these tractors operated in the narrow strip of land between the south shore of the Firth of Tay and the River Eden.

Gibb of Fliskmillan had three for potato and sugar beet work, while Easter Kinnear had two.

Other examples were reputed to be at the Rhynd at Leuchars, Myrecairnie, Denbrae, Newcairnie, Kilmany, Craigfoodie and Hilton of Carslogie all near Cupar.

One was thought to have worked near Gateside, whilst a further two were at St Andrews and one at Caskerdo, Ceres.

Another Fife GP still survives locally today, and enthusiast Tom Turnbull has exhibited this machine for many years after buying it from former owners the Adams of Woodriffe near Newburgh.