The Glenbuchat Image Library
No: 2635 Contributor: No Contributor Year: 1910
17 GNSR Bus
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GNSR Bus
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The GNSR (Great North of Scotland Railway) operated early motor bus services in the North East of Scotland, to supplement its railway network. These routes connected stations to nearby towns and rural areas, with services like the one from Aberchirder to Huntly. The company introduced its first motor bus service in 1904, connecting Ballater to Braemar, and later built a network of routes that linked its stations to other parts of the North East of Scotland The bus services became integral to the company's operations, sometimes linking up with its railway tours, The buses were used to connect with trains and were part of tours like the "Two Rivers" and "Three Rivers" tours that linked different railway lines. but they were eventually absorbed by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923, with the bus operations later being sold to Alexander's Bluebird in 1930.
In Bellabeg there is a building called Railway Cottage. The nearest station is Aboyne 18 miles away. The residents of Strathdon could book a ticket and wait in a waiting room in Railway cottage and take the next bus to Aboyne to meet the train.
The GNSR built its own bus bodies on purchased chassis, and at one point operated 34 passenger vehicles and 11 lorries before World War I.
Some routes, like the one between Ballater and Strathdon, operated only during the summer tourist season.
When the GNSR was taken over by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923, the bus services were transferred with it. LNER later sold the bus operations to Alexander's Bluebird in 1930.
Click for more details of Strathdon Bus Routes/Tours
Click for more details of GNSR Coaches at Bellabeg and Cockbridge c 1911
View Large VersionPicture added on 30 July 2025 at 15:50
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