96 Notes and Sketches. 



turnpike, by an enterprising citizen named Alexander 

 Scorgie. Post horses and post chaises had hitherto 

 been the recognised means of locomotion on long 

 journeys. The plodding craftsman of the hamlet, 

 smith, or tailor or the pack merchant did not 

 boggle at a tramp of twenty to thirty miles on foot 

 to " the toon " when necessary ; and for " gentlemen " 

 who could afford to travel in a different style, country 

 innkeepers had begun to let it be known that they 

 could " accommodate," in more or less, those of them 

 who might be disposed to make their hostelries a 

 stage, and who happened to need horses or " a steady 

 driver." Mr. Scorgie's idea was a bolder one. He 

 started a passenger " Caravan " to travel on stated 

 days 'twixt George Street, Aberdeen, and the house 

 of John Norris, tailor, West Wynd, Huntly. The 

 Caravan was a covered conveyance. In its original 

 form it stood on two wheels, and was drawn by one 

 horse. The covering was of painted canvas ; and four 

 passengers might find accommodation inside, their 

 faces looking forward. Outside, the driver sat on a 

 flat board at one side in front, with accommodation 

 for a passenger on the opposite end of the board. 



In September, 1807, after he had run to and from 

 Huntly for a while, successfully it would seem, Mr. 

 Scorgie announced that " for the more general con- 

 venience of the public," he found it necessary to 

 extend his journey as far as Keith ; and he would go 

 thither accordingly from Aberdeen every Monday, 

 Wednesday, and Friday, returning on the intervening 

 days. At Keith, saddle horses and gigs were pro- 

 vided for the conveyance of passengers going to 

 Fochabers, Elgin, and Forres, "where places may be 

 taken for Scorgie's Caravan going to Aberdeen." The 

 public are further informed that, in his anxiety to 

 give every satisfaction, Mr. Scorgie had "an entire 

 new and commodious Caravan in preparation," which, 

 adopting his own description, was "upon an improved 





