‘M.B. Danskin and his assistant, Jim Watson, continued to operate Danskin

vehicles, albeit on a much reduced scale, at South Wynd Garage, Colinsburgh,

from where they also controlled their quarrying at Belliston and sand

extraction at Carriston. In the early ‘50s ‘M.B.’ continued his policy of

expansion by taking over Robertsons of Auchtermuchty and Rankins of

Dunfermline. He also decided to return his operating base to Strathkinness

and in 1953 built the present garage in Lower Main Street. While much of the

work was still agricultural, raw materials and paper haulage for Guardbridge

Paper Mill played an increasing role in the Company’s activities. ln the late

‘SOs McKendricks of Auchtermuchty and Rutherford Son & Grubb of St.

Andrews became part of the company and the takeover of Muirs Transport of

Cupar in 1961 saw the Danskin fleet top the 70 vehicle mark.

‘The deregulation of haulage licences in the 1968 Road Transport Act

brought some decline to the Company. Farmers, potato merchants, agri-

cultural traders and other manufacturers were free to put their own transport

on the road; many took that option, forcing Danskins to reduce their labour

force and move away from agricultural and seasonal work.

‘The end of the ‘60s saw a tragic double blow for Danskiris when

the founder ‘M.B.’ and his elder son, David, died in road accidents in 1967 and

1969 respectively. It was the wish of Mrs. Grace Danskin and her son, William,

that the family business should continue, with Bill Thomson managing the

Cupar Depot and Jim Watson and lain Duncan handling the operation at

Strathkinness.

‘The ‘70s were not an easy time for the Road Haulage industry, with too

many vehicles chasing too few loads, the spiralling cost of fuel and industrial

unrest leading to an overall reduction in most haulage fleets, and a period of

consolidation. Danskins were no exception, and to remain competitive the

Company policy became one of increased articulation with larger vehicles

and fewer drivers.

‘The Company has had a long standing connection with the food industry

through its work with British Sugar and Scotts Porage Oats, and the Company

has expanded its activities in this direction in the 1980s by setting up a haulage,

storage and distribution system for the products of major manufacturers

like Weetabix, Whitworths, Hazlewoods and Pedigree Petfoods. Paper still

features in the company’s workload through working for Guardbridge Paper

Mill, Tullis Russell of Markinch and Smith Anderson of Leslie.

‘The expansion of the food distribution business has seen the Company

move into a modern warehousing complex at Prestonhall, Cupar. Adminis-

tration, vehicle maintenance, parking and storage are retained at Strathkinness.

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