Last school run for Angus after 35 years
Bus driver Angus Douglas has dropped off his last passenger after a 35-year school run, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Parents and passengers from across the decades marked his final Dalmally school run with a celebration at the Ben Cruachan Inn on the last day of term.
Among those there to wish Mr Douglas well were 11-year-old Ruaraidh Rankin, Mr Douglas’s last school passenger and Duncan MacDougall who was the very first to be picked up 35 years ago.
Ruaraidh’s mum Rhona Rankin helped organise Mr Douglas’s farewell surprise – although he will still be running his Highland Rovers bus hire business from Awe Service Station.
West Coast Motors will now be running the Dalmally school bus service from Oban.
Mrs Rankin said: ‘There were Angus’s most recent passengers and past passengers and parents of older pupils who’ve since left the area who turned up to thank Mr Douglas and wish him well. He has been an absolute gem. We just wanted to show our appreciation for everything he has done. We always knew our children were in safe hands with him even in the worst weather and worst road conditions.
‘I think he only ever missed one day in all the 35 years because the weather was just too bad. Angus is a marvellous, reliable man. He would never leave a child standing alone if any parents were a bit late. He’d always wait.
‘He is a big loss and we are going to miss him lots on the school run.’
Mr Douglas also picked up and dropped off Oban High School pupils travelling from Dalmally train station.
As well as gifts and thank you notes, Mr Douglas was presented with a passenger list spanning the last 35 years with more than 120 names on it.