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The c.1930 issue of W. Alexander's tours booklet, largely based in Glasgow, is only really datable by various clues as to 'other operators' who came into the SMT/Alexander's group in 1929/1930. The booklet contains numerous adverts, for associated services and products, and includes this full page adverts for what appears to be another coach or bus operator; Link LInes Ltd. of Glasgow and Lochgilphead.

It does at first sight appear strange for Alexander's to be advertising a potential rival and it makes me wonder what happened to Link Lines services. Where they another SMT group acquisition? I can find nothing much about Link LInes Ltd., "pioneers of goods and passengers services by road in the Western Highlands" but I wonder if the "lines" suggests a shipping or steamer service as I suspect a company of this name was merged into the large Coast Lines Ltd. fleet?

Their road services departed from the "D. & N. Garage, Clyde Street at Jamaica Street".

The 1934 edition of W. Alexander's guide to its tour and bus services, based on Glasgow and parts of Central Scotland, contains many adverts for associated companies and services. It includes this advert for the Belfast based bus and coach operator, H.M.S. Catherwood, the year before this short lived but successful company was to vanish.

Catherwood's were formed in 1925 and grew from a singel bus route and a coach operation, to become a successful operator both north and south of the relatively new Border between Northern and Southern Ireland. By 1927 this included a long distance service between Belfast and Dublin, much to the chagrin of the Great Northern Railway. In 1928 they became a private limited company and were engaged in bus 'wars' in Belfast with the Corporation (who saw them off) and in Derry/Londonderry where they were more successful; the council awarded them an effective franchise to run the city's bus services. In 1932 the Tilling Group became the majority shareholder in the concern that was by now a staunch purchaser of Leyland vehicles.

However in 1933 the company lost all its services south of the Border to the GNR(I) and the GSR and, in 1935, this was followed by the effective nationalisation of all road services in Ulster by the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board and so, after only a decade, Catherwood's vanished.

An advert in the 1934 edition of the W. Alexander's tour guide booklet, this for the Glasgow based travel agency of A.J. Thomson, "King of the Highways". It might seem slightly strange that Thomson's were advertising effectively rival services, such a a daily Glasgow - London service, and tours in an Alexander's publication but I wonder if their services fell into the hands of the acquistive SMT/Alexander's empire? Their advert in the 1929 issue of 'Cover the Country" notes them as a booking agency for Alexander's as does this one.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'. This page advertises the day tours available from Glasgow.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this, the sixth edition, was issued in 1934. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickname "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coach 'brand'.

This is one of the commercial adverts shown in the booklet, no doubt to oveset the cost of production. It's for a 'rival' in a way as it refers to a motoring garage! John Paterson (Motors) Ltd. were advertising their "super garage" at the top of Hope Street in the city centre.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickname "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'. This, the first page, gives an introduction to the company's services.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'.

The back cover shows one of the company's 'charabancs' "covering the country in comfort".

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'.

he introduction shows a vignette of a trendy couple at the booking office as well as noting seats may be booked through agencies. It is interesting that the names of the company's managers are shown as "Captain A. Caven" and "Superintendent A. J. Thomson". They were based at the Alexander's Glasgow offices in Jamaica Street and Hope Street respectively.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this, the sixth edition, was issued in 1934. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickname "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coach 'brand'. This advert is for Mobiloil lunricants, as used by Alexander's, and that were then the product of the Vacuum Oil Company Limited of London who would eventually adopt the tradename of Mobil. The artwork looks familiar but is not quite the same style as that of "Maxwell" used elsewhere in the booklet.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT. There is also an advert for Thomson's Travel Agency of Glasgow, with three branches in the city, that notes all Alexander's tours can be booked here and that in 1929 they assisted over 60,000 passengers.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'.

This, the front cover, is splendidly 'jazzy' in style and uses the 'royal blue' to good effect.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'. Here are the list of 24 tours operated that include day tours as well as long excursions around Scotland as well as tours of up to 14 days duration to the south of England.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this is an undated edition that possibly dates to c.1930. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

As well as tour details there are adverts for the Alexander's long-distance bus and coach services that were spreading over Scotland as well as for commercial products associated with 'motoring'. In addition there is an advert for the services of the Scottish General Omnibus Company, an undertaking Alexander's had acquired on behalf of the SMT group in 1929. This makes me tentatively date this guide to c.1930 before the General's services were merged into Alexander's and the SGOC used as the basis for the formation of the Western SMT.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickmane "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coaching services 'brand'. This double page lists the company's long-distance services operated from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. These ran to Inverness, Aberdeen, Oban, Callender, Crieff and Stirling.

For many years the Scottish based bus and coach operator W. Alexander's issued an annual guide to the "motor coach tours and services on every road in the North of Scotland" and this, the sixth edition, was issued in 1934. By this date Alexander's were part of the vast SMT empire that, backed by railway investment, was well on the way to being the dominant bus and coach operator in Scotland. Indeed, in later years, they formed the basis of the nationalised Scottish Bus Group.

The booklet was printed on their behalf by the advertising arm of John Menzies & Co. Ltd., better known as newsagents. This issue is very contemporary in terms of the graphic design and lettering and the 'jazzy' cover, as well as several of the adverts, are credited to "Maxwell". Who "Maxwell" was I do not know; Some advert panels are signed W.M.M. - but possibly it could be from the W R Foster Maxwell Artists who provided much artwork for advertising purposes.

The "Royal Blue" coaches used vehicles that carried the nickname "Bluebird" and in later years this was the name used for Alexander's coach 'brand'.

One of a series of annual editions of the guidebook describing the various tours operated from Glasgow by the Falkirk based W. Alexander's company. Alexander's bus and coach services, the latter also marketed as 'Bluebird' services, were by this date associated with the Scottish Motor Traction group of companies as well as being partially owned by the LMS and LNER railways.

The tours listed range from day and extended tours to mystery tours as well as the two day to twelve day long distance holidays around the Highlands and Western Scotland. Despite all of this the glorious cover shows a rather bucolic 'English' country village with the motor coach kicking up the dust as it speeds along!