London buses were a familiar sight on the road to Tin City

Graham Martin-bates gets in touch to say Craigie’s recent mentions of former Perthshire berry picking destination Tin City have aroused his interest.

Something of an authority on vintage modes of public transport – specifically buses – the Carse of Gowrie resident has supplied today’s main picture, which ties in nicely with the story of the workers’ encampment that was built at Essendy, near Blairgowrie, from 1905-08, and which provided accommodation for seasonal agricultural workers for more than 60 years.

Graham, of St Madoes, writes: “I attach a photograph of one of the A and C Mclennan double-deckers that were also mentioned.

“During most of the 1950s and 1960s, the last bus for Essendy and Spittalfield on a Saturday night departed from Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow at 10.40pm.

“Mclennan’s company secretary, the late Margaret Woodman, told me that very occasionally she would help out by conducting that last bus during the berry season and enjoyed doing so as the people were friendly. At one time the Blairgowrie to Spittalfield via Essendy service operated every day including Sunday. During July on a Saturday after lunchtime, a frequent service of duplicate journeys was provided between Blairgowrie and Essendy to cater for those staying at the Tin City.

“The bus in the photograph was one of Mclennan’s 11 identical former London Transport RTL types which proved to be reliable and popular. All were fitted with platform doors at Mclennan’s Spittalfield workshops and had preselector gearboxes.

This one is seen on the bus stance at the Wellmeadow showing ‘Spittalfield via Essendy’ on the destination blind.”

Thanks to Graham Martin-bates for supplying this picture taken in the 1950s or ’60s showing a London Transport RTL bus at Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow, ready for a run to the berry pickers’ accommodation known as Tin City at Essendy. See left for more.