Leyland600:
Are you sure Alexanders had a depot at Ballater back in 1956, Strachans Deeside Omnibus Co covered that area they along with about 7 Fodens and AECs were not taken over until May 1965. However an early Alexander services map shows a through route Aberdeen to Blairgowrie.Cheers, Leyland 600
I am sure G, the Ballater Depot crews ran Braemar Aberdeen route No1 with Aberdeen Depot change over drivers and clippies about Banchory. I distinctly remember a change over as it was my first introduction to air assisted brakes that being on a Leyland Tiger Cub, off a half cab and in wi the passengers 
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Strachans were also operating at that time and their route was on the South Deeside road whereby Alexanders ran the North Deeside road A93. I departed Aberdeen in August 1957 so don’t know what happened after that.
Cheers
Oily