My hobby is simply the bus! Ross loves vintage vehicle

SOME motorheads spend years saving up for the classic car of their dreams, be it a vintage Lamborghini or a top-of-the-range Ferrari.

But Ross Scoular’s heart was set on something a little more unusual – a full-sized, vintage Edinburgh bus.

The 1960s model was in service for 27 years before it was retired in 1988, and was lovingly restored by Ross and his dad Douglas after they bought it from Lothian Buses that same year.

And earlier this month, the 55-year-old took his daughter Lindsay and 32 of her school pals to prom in the historic vehicle, ensuring they made their entrance in style.

The roofer, from Corstorphine in Edinburgh, told The Sunday Post: “It’s just a hobby – just an interest. My father had an interest in buses, so I did as well.

“We’ve been on a few family outings in it – we’ve taken it to St Andrews for a picnic. There’s plenty of room for friends.”

Nicknamed the “Polaris” when it was in service due to its large size – after the UK’s first nuclear submarine programme – Ross’s bus was the only one of its kind ever introduced in Britain.

It hit the streets in 1961 and later became Edinburgh’s longest serving bus, sporting an unusual three-door design based on continental models.

But “YSG 101” wasn’t universally popular with passengers at first, due to its radical rear-door entrance system and the fact they couldn’t smoke on board.

“It really was revolutionary – just the fact it was a continental design,” Ross explains.

“In the 1960s, anything from the continent was really revolutionary. It still looks quite modern to this day.

“As much of the features are original as possible. We collected lots of bits and pieces for it. We wanted to put it back to its original condition.

“It’s nice that people appreciate it as we do, and it’s better than it being stuck inside a museum.

“It’s part of Edinburgh’s history – it trundled along its streets for almost 30 years. It’s nice that it still gets occasional use.

“People remember it, or remember being on it. People come up to you and say, ‘My dad used to drive this.’”

As well as providing a memorable taxi to prom, Ross drove the bus to Balbirnie House in Fife for his daughter Claire’s wedding two years ago.

But he admits the vehicle – which he stores in a specially-built garage beside his house – can be tough to drive when large groups are on board.

And it even occasionally gets mistaken for the real thing – with one pensioner attempting to flag it down when he drove Lindsay to her prom last week.

“It’s very heavy on the steering,” he said.

“There’s no power steering whatsoever. But all the other bus drivers wave at you – everybody waves.”

Lindsay, 17, who hopes to study nursing at university, said the unusual transport came as a shock to classmates.

“It was good – everyone turned up and was surprised when they saw it,” she said.