MacBrayne, David, Ltd

Notes:

Providers of ferry and related services in the Western Highlands and Hebrides, Scotland. Traces origins to David Hutcheson & Co, established 1851 when Hutcheson acquired the business of G & J Burns of whom David MacBrayne, 1817-1907, was a nephew. MacBrayne then became a partner and acquired the business in the late 1870s on withdrawal of Hutcheson. Then renamed David MacBrayne & Co and emerged as a leading provider of ferry services. Also carried mail under contract from Post Office and from at least 1906 operated bus services in Highlands. 1906 incorporated. Pioneer introduction of motor ship. 1928, on withdrawal of MacBrayne family, reconstructed under ownership of London Midland Scottish Railway and Coast Lines Ltd as David MacBrayne (1928) Ltd, from 1934 David MacBrayne Ltd. Nationalised 1948. Acquired assets of McCallum Orme & Co in 1948. 1969 part of state owned Scottish Transport Group formed to manage ferry services and Scottish Bus Co Ltd. 1973 merged with Caledonian Steam Packet Co Ltd to form Caledonian MacBrayne. Continuing in 2016