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Lothian's Scania OmniCity 987 (SN57DAU), pictured at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, on the 19th August 2016, looking very smart after a recent repaint into a revised version of the madder and white livery.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved.
Lothian Buses Volvo 7900 Hybrid number 1 (LB13 BUS) ‘Stuart’ is seen here laying over on the southeastern side of Ocean Drive, at OT, in Leith Harbour and Newhaven, shortly before setting off on a service 36 to the Gyle
Taken on Monday the 1st of December 2025
Over 850 buses, coaches and trams in the fleet, and here is number one. A place in the fleet which only two buses have occupied in the past half century.
In the winter of 1972, an AN68 Atlantean bearing the fleet number 1 was delivered to Edinburgh Corporation Transport. It was part of the first 50 AN68 Atlanteans, fleet numbers 1-50. The batch had BFS-L registrations, meaning that number 1 was registered BFS 1L. It became affectionately known as ‘Basil’ due it the reg plate.
In 1973, when the batch was still shiny and new, sibling bus number 2 (BFS 2L) – known to me as ‘Bezel Star’ – made quite an impression on some folk, being one of the first AN68s in the fleet and strikingly different to the PDR1A Atlanteans before them.
Then number 1, or Basil, went travelling. To say that Basil is well travelled is an understatement, and honestly it would almost be faster to list the places that bus hasn’t been, than everywhere it has been.
Basil has been over the sea to Skye, along the north coast before it was cool, and explored much of the rest of the country. Not only that, Basil has driven across Europe in the early 90s, visiting Belguim, France, England, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and a bus rally in Liberec, Czechia.
Being first registered on the 1st of December 1972 according to the MOT checker, Basil’s 53rd birthday was the day I took this photo. At over half a century old, with endless travel stories, known by name and loved dearly by spotters and enthusiasts of all ages, Basil is undeniably a very important member of the heritage fleet. But history doesn’t stay still, and now Basil’s modern successor that shares its fleet number is reaching the end of its service life.
On Saturday the 13th of April 2013, Gordon Stirling piped 1 ‘Stuart’, 2 ‘Siobhan’ and 3 ‘Yan’ through the toun for the hybrid launch event. They were futuristic and fascinating, I was so excited to get to travel on fleet number 1 ‘Stuart’ for the first time when it entered service. All of 1-10 bore the slogan ‘be the one…’ on the sides, espescially fitting for Stuart here, not only was it new to service 1, it also bore the fleet number 1. The pitch change from the electric motor to the diesel engine kicking in was the sound of the future when it was new, and now it’s been part of the familiar soundscape for so many years to the point that you don’t even notice it.
I have a very strong connection to these wee buses, as they’ve been a pretty consistent part of my life since they were new, and I know them by name and love them. But you can read more about that in my post from October titled ‘The Hybrid Story’ (here’s the link: www.flickr.com/photos/160090695@N08/54927441784 ).
Safe to say that I am quite attached to these, and with only two of 1-10 left in the fleet, I would be sad to see them go for good. This is where I propose that this bus here deserves a future that isn’t withdrawal, sold on, and scrapped a number of years down the line, like is the fate of nearly all buses.
Two buses alike in fleet number, four decades apart in age, both numerically the first bus in the fleet of their type in of a batch of 50. While it hasn’t travelled as far as Basil (unless it’s been sneaking out at night!), between the similarities ‘Stuart’ shares with Basil, and its own eventful life and important part in the company’s history. I would be willing to make an argument that, when the day comes, wee hybrid number 1 ‘Stuart’ here, is more than worthy of a place in the heritage fleet.
I am aware that preserving a modern bus like this, especially a diesel-electric hybrid, is no easy job, nor is it cheap. However, it it can be done, and I would say that quite possibly no other single decker in the fleet has a stronger case for preservation instead of ending up in the scrapyard.
Maybe one day, future generations of enthusiasts will get in the way of eachothers cameras as they excitedly photograph the two legendary number ones, Basil and Stuart side by side on the Lathalmond grass. That would be truly wonderful.
Now what’s that ship in the background?
The ferry towering over the tram in the background is ‘Spirit of Tasmania V’. A brand new ferry, built for the Bass Strait ferry route between mainland Australia and Tasmania. It was launced in July 2024 and is intended to be in service on the other side of the world by July next year.
This ferry is owned by the Spirit of Tasmania government owned business enterprise, which is described on wikipedia as ‘attempts to provide ferry services’. At least CalMac aren’t given such a scathing introduction by wikipedia, yet! Truly hoping for CalMac’s troubles to be over as soon as possible, but that is both sadly unlikely in the near future and far from the topic of this description.
In Spirit of Tasmania’s fleet history, there is a ferry that shared a name with the business. That ferry is now called MS Princess Seaways, and operated by DFDS on the route between Newcastle, England and IJmuiden, Nederland. So while MS Princes Seaways once operated in Australia and now sails in this corner or Europe, Spirit of Tasmania V is here at OT, and will – hopefully - be off to Australia in the near future.
Since this photo was taken, on the first day of the month, 1 ‘Stuart’ has mostly staying on service 36 along wi number 2 ‘Siobhan’, I expect the two will last in service into the new year, however I wouldn’t be so sure that they’ll still be here come next winter.
Sadly, on the day after this photo, Hybrid number 29 ‘Emanuel’ was in a horrible crash on Maybury Road which involved two lorries and the bus. As far as I know, no injuries are reported, and I hope that’s true and it stays that way.
The unofficial name ‘Stuart’ comes from me just giving 1-10 (mostly) regular human names that came tae mind, wi the first letter of the name matching the final letter of the number plate. Wi this batch it’s honestly long been the case where my main association of most of the names is the bus that it’s assigned tae.
Vehicle Information
Operator: Lothian Buses
Service: 36 Leith Harbour and Newhaven Ocean Terminal Ocean Drive – Costorphine Gyle, South Gyle, Gyle Centre bus terminus (Trip 3428)
Vehicle type: Integral Volvo 7900 bodied Volvo B5LH
Vehicle engine: Euro 6 Diesel/Electric Hybrid
Vehicle fleet number: 1
Vehicle registration: LB13 BUS
Vehicle name: Stuart
Vehicle depot: Longstone (LS)
Vehicle livery: Lothian Buses Madder and White Fleet of the Future (FOTF) Single Deck 2020 version
Vehicle destination screen: white Hanover LED screen
Vehicle destination display: Gyle Centre 36
Vehicle Chassis: Vo B5LH YV3T1R924D1159415
Vehicle Body: Vo P126846
Vehicle Seating: B34F
Operating area: City of Edinburgh
Registration prefix area: Wimbledon, London, England (personalised reg plate)
Year of manufacture: 2013
Date of first registration: 07.03.2013 (Day T41339)
Original operator: Lothian Buses
Original fleet number: 1
Original registration: LB13 BUS
Age of vehicle: 12 years, 8 months and 28 days (total 4652 days)
Photo location: Ocean Drive, Ocean Terminal, Leith Harbour and Newhaven, Lìte, City of Edinburgh
Taken on: Monday the 1st of December 2025 (01.12.2025)
Taken on Day U3623
References
Bus Lists on the Web (2025) LB13BUS. Available at: www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/ (Accessed 02.12.2025, Day U3624)
Bustimes.org (2025) Lothian Buses - Vehicles – 1 (LB13 BUS). Available at: bustimes.org/vehicles/loth-1?date=2025-12-01 (Accessed 02.12.2025, Day U3624)
GOV.UK (2025) Check MOT History – LB13 BUS. Available at: www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=LB13BUS... (Accessed 02.12.2025, Day U3624)
Lothian's Scania OmniCity 987 (SN57DAU), pictured at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, on the 19th August 2016, looking very smart after a recent repaint into a revised version of the madder and white livery.
Sometimes happiness just comes when it's most unexpected. Wish you have had a lovely day too!
Kowloon, Victoria Harbour
Located on the rooftop of Ocean Terminal’s new five-storey extension building, Ocean Terminal Deck is an observatory deck surrounded by the sea that offers a 270-degree panorama of Victoria Harbour as well as breathtaking views of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It is one of the best venues to enjoy Hong Kong’s sunset and evening views, while being close to the many shopping and dining options of Harbour City.
Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. October 2018.
M4. Voigtlander Color Skopar P II 35/2.5. Cinestill BWXX 200.
1/1000s f/2.5.
Unrebuilt SR Battle of Britain 4-6-2 34079 141 SQUADRON (SR/BR Brighton/1948) has just brought the HCRS "Eastleigh & Southampton Special"railtour into Southampton Ocean Terminal and is running round the train.
06/12/1964 [GB 1792].
Lothian's Scania OmniCity 987 (SN57DAU), pictured at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, on the 19th August 2016, working service 35 to Edinburgh Airport and looking very smart after a recent repaint into a revised version of the madder and white livery.
Fleet number 501 - new in 2017 - was seen turning round at the NE end of Ocean Terminal prior to starting out on the 50 minute journey across North Edinburgh to the city’s airport. Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre opened in 2001 and was built on the site of the Henry Robb shipyard which had closed in 1994. The centre has suffered from the recession, failure of its two major anchor stores (inc Debenhams) and the growth of online shopping. The Debenhams store and adjacent car park are due to be demolished shortly as the current owners reshape their estate. Access to the quayside will be opened up as will a view of the former royal yacht, “Britannia” along with some new retail and residential units. The Skylink 200 will have competition for end to end traffic from here from Edinburgh Trams from June 2023 but each serves different parts of the city en route. The new vertical Port of Leith Distillery is just out of sight to the right.
Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui and Lion Rock... viewing from Central, Hong Kong
"... this big cat was a lot more compelling when I was a small boy - it must have got old or the jungle got too big..."
PS. Do click on the image to view large.
Volvo B8L with Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB MMC bodywork at the Ocean Terminal Leith Edinburgh October 2019.
Owned by P&O and currently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Southampton, waiting for embarkation this afternoon.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Ventura
The Michigan Highway is a Japanese car transporter, also loading up this afternoon.
www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:665278/...
Edimburgo en inglés: Edinburgh; en gaélico escocés: Dùn Èideann, es la capital y un concejo de Escocia (Reino Unido). Es la segunda ciudad más grande de Escocia tras Glasgow.
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Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, situated in Lothian on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. It is the second most populous city in Scotland and the seventh most populous in the United Kingdom.
Wikipedia
Lothian Buses Gemini 3 Facelift bodied Volvo B5LH number 554 (SA15 VUE) ‘Estiland’ is seen here at OT, under a certain sign that relates to its number plate
Taken on Wednesday the 17th of December 2025.
This is a photo I’ve been wanting to get for SO many years, 554 (SA15 VUE) ‘Estiland’ under the big ‘vue’ sign at OT, corresponding wi the registration plate very nicely. The original photo needed some editing work to be presentable, but I went a bit over the top wi the saturation and such, because I can.
Thanks to ZZ9 for motivating me to try and actually finallly go and get this shot!
I posted a photo of this bus to flickr shortly after its 5th birthday, talking about how weird it seemed that it was already five years old, the new hybrids on the 34 were a highlight of 2015, and they seemed fairly new and exciting for a while after. Well now it’s over a decade old somehow, but spending its days mainly on the 34 and 35, just where it’s most at home.
So I unofficially named this bus ‘Estiland’ originally, mistakenly thinking it was Estonian for Estonia (no, that’s Eesti), but the name stuck and It’s now played a part of enough of my life that I have a fondness for it, even slightly more than some others in its batch.
In November this year, ZZ9 nicknamed this ‘Lothian’s Cinema Bus’ in relation to the number plate, as we see here quite clearly. I intend to add ZZ9’s name to the unofficial names doc, what better name could there be for this? However, ‘Estiland’ is also staying, that’s what it’s always been to me. It’s by far not the first bus wi two names, even though I usually try and avoid multiple names, there’s no reason why we can’t have some! An example currently in the fleet is XLB number 1066, which I nicknamed ‘Frances’, and Callum Colville nicknamed ‘Battle of Hastings’, due to the fleet number corresponding to the date of that battle.
This batch (551-570) may be unremarkable, but they seem to still be doing just as well as ever, usually winding their slow way through the city from the foot of the Pentlands in Currie to the sea at OT. If anyone wants to have a go at which of this batch of B5LHs have which seatback colours then go ahead, it’s not intuitive!
Vehicle Information
Operator: Lothian Buses
Service: 34 Leith Harbour and Newhaven Ocean Terminal Ocean Drive – Currie Riccarton Hariot-Watt University The Avenue (Trip NovWedAL23925725)
Vehicle type: Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3 Facelift bodied Volvo B5LH
Vehicle engine: Euro 6 Diesel-Electric Hybrid
Vehicle fleet number: 554
Vehicle registration: SA15 VUE
Vehicle name: Estiland
Vehicle depot: Longstone (LS)
Vehicle livery: Lothian Buses Madder and White Fleet of the Future (FOTF) non-ADL Double Deck 2020 version
Vehicle destination screen: white Hanover LED screen
Vehicle destination display: Heriot-Watt 34 / via Research Park
Vehicle Chassis: Vo B5LH YV3T1U22XFA172380
Vehicle Body: Wt AM087
Vehicle Seating: H49/25F
Operating area: City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian
Registration prefix area: Glesga
Year of manufacture: 2015
Date of first registration: 14.07.2015 (Day T42198)
Original operator: Lothian Buses
Original fleet number: 554
Original registration: SA15 VUE
Age of vehicle: 10 years, 5 months and 3 days (total 3809 days)
Photo location: Ocean Drive, Ocean Terminal, Leith Harbour and Newhaven, Lìte, City of Edinburgh
Taken on: Wednesday the 17th of December 2025 (17.12.2025)
Taken on Day U3639
References
Bus Lists on the Web (2025) SA15VUE. Available at: www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/ (Accessed 17.12.2025, Day U3641)
Bustimes.org (2025) Lothian Buses - Vehicles – 554 (SA15 VUE). Available at: bustimes.org/vehicles/loth-554?date=2025-12-17 (Accessed 17.12.2025, Day U3641)
GOV.UK (2025) Check MOT History – SA15 VUE. Available at: www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=SA15VUE... (Accessed 17.12.2025, Day U3641)
Scottish Community Councils (2025) Find a Community Council. Available at: www.communitycouncils.scot/community-council-finder (Accessed 17.12.2025, Day U3641)
74002 pulls away from Southampton Ocean Terminal with a boat train for London carrying passengers from P&O cruise liner Canberra in the dock behind