John MacDonald, a Port Assistant at Lochmaddy, has dedicated 20 years to Caledonian MacBrayne, ensuring vessels’ safe arrival and departure in all weather conditions. His journey with the company began as a night watchman at the same ferry port. Inspired by his father’s involvement on the pier during his childhood, MacDonald joined CalMac. For over 48 years, he has documented the organisation’s history, along with the significant maritime history of the Outer Hebrides and the west coast of Scotland. His collection includes documents, maps, models, flags, charts, and memorabilia that illustrate the history and notable chapters of Caledonian MacBrayne’s role in Scotland’s maritime history.

Despite managing a terminal cancer diagnosis, John MacDonald has been invited to stage an exhibition in North Uist, showcasing his collection from around the world. His collection has also been shared further afield, contributing to celebrating a former colleague’s 102nd birthday in his care home. Additionally, he was invited to Holyrood House to share his collection with the late Queen, who was a frequent visitor to the Outer Hebrides.

While driving his No.3 bus, John Fry had to unexpectedly jump into action to attend to a female passenger who had collapsed out of her seat. He immediately parked in a safe place and, after just 3 minutes, noticed the lady had blue lips and blue fingers with no chest sounds or breathing noises. He promptly began CPR and requested that another passenger call for an ambulance. John performed CPR until the emergency services arrived and continued to provide assistance to the paramedic team, using his previous first aid experience to assist the first paramedic in keeping compressions going. Fortunately, a pulse was established, and the woman was transferred to the hospital.

Mohammad, a dedicated and long-serving bus driver, began his career with local authority-owned Tayside Passenger Transport in 1978, where he spent the next 46 years behind the wheel. He continues to drive part-time for McGill’s, making him one of Scotland’s longest-serving bus drivers. Mohammad is a much-loved and respected figure within the team, and customers hold him in high regard. His significant contribution to a recent recruitment campaign, “Did it for Me,” has been pivotal, resulting in a substantial increase in driver applications.

Kian Greene, 22, was inspired by his bus driver grandfather to pursue a career in the industry. He joined McGill’s Bright Bus Tours team in April 2023 as a street vendor, later transitioning to the Discover Dundee tour bus sales team by July 2023. With his friendly and approachable manner, Kian significantly increased on-street sales by 23% for the open-top tour. His enthusiasm for the bus industry led him to undertake various roles, including assisting at student Freshers’ events, updating bus stop information and on-bus posters, and monitoring timings through the city centre and Ninewells Hospital to ensure buses ran on schedule. Additionally, he engaged with customers to address their travel queries at McGill’s Commercial Street travel shop. Kian has aspirations to become a driver and has passed his PCV theory test.

Colin Hunter has been a bus driver with Stagecoach East Scotland since 2003, working at its Dunfermline Depot for over 20 years. He is one of the company’s most experienced drivers. Just after midnight, Colin spotted a lady attempting to climb over a wall at the railway bridge situated on the route, with the assumption that she was intending to take her own life. Colin stopped the training bus he was supervising to attend to the lady and try to stop her from jumping. The lady was clearly distressed, so Colin and the driver, Ashley, stayed with her to ensure her safety while awaiting emergency services.