Confusion At Cummer-Nodd (3)

McGill's Magnificent Message

Historically, the company was Walter Alexander of Falkirk. It became Alexander Midland or just plain Midland.

On its western territory, which included depots to the north if Glasgow, this morphed into a more modern and simple logo.

But, over in the eastern lands of fair Caledonia, it was the same blue with more cream and Midland Bluebird as a fleet name.

The buses wore a blue bird as a logo adornment.

The companies were all nationalised as part of The Scottish Bus Group but even a ubiquitous Leyland National carried an azure avian appendage.

Once swallowed by the ever greedy First Bus, the birds was eaten up by the "F" logo (for "fowl"?) ...

... until corporate tedium overtook the richness of blue Midland bird. 

The colour did return for an outburst of local branding ...

... but the level of commitment to brands was always erratic.

Come the sale of the former Bluebird to McGills and the name was revived. Early examples were nominal ...

... but a better identity soon followed, albeit, sadly, with a different blue.

Our old friends X36 and X37 via Cumbernauld were route branded as "City Swift" which they undoubtedly were between 'greater' Cumbernauld and Glasgow.

The publicity leaflet for these routes offers McGill's Magnificent Message to its customers; although the "Swift' seems to have lost its 'City'.

For fbb, the highlight of the leaflet is the cartography. The full route map shoes the X36 from Stirling ...

... and the X37 from Falkirk in more than adequate detail ...

... followed by the joint route from Cumbernauld to Glasgow.

There is connections information (but only flor McGills routes! It wouldn't  do to be too helpful!) is shown at the three termini; Stirling ...

... with a local map.

We have Falkirk ...

... and map.

There are onward McGills McGills connections from Glasgow ...

... but, oddly, no map. Finding the buses listed above is far from fun!

But logos now include the 'City' and the "Swift".

Oh, yes, there is a well produced timetable.

BUT - no fares information. Why are bus companies so unwilling to tell you how much their product costs? Imagine going into a Glasgow chippy and asking "how much for a fish supper carryoot?"  ...

... and being politely advised,

"Nae bother, pal, I'll tell ye when it's in the poke."

It seems unlikely that such a retail establishment would continue trading for many weeks; assuming that the proprietor survived an element if consequential physical violence.

Tut, tut!

Tomorrow, Cumbernauld to Glasgow "locals" and a weird forthcoming development.

In the meantime a 'poke' is a bag, in which you might keep a pig.

And, the big question is whether it is a (Midland) Bluebird ...

... or a (City) Swift?

Not only buses but ornithology is covered by fbb's  blogs.

  Next Cumbernauld blog : Sat 31st Jan