Stagecoach superfan Mack gets VIP behind-the-scenes tour of Kilmarnock Depot

• Eight-year-old Ayr schoolboy Mack Caddis got a special behind-the-scenes look at Stagecoach’s Kilmarnock Depot
• The Kincaidston Primary School pupil has been fascinated by buses since he was four and dreams of becoming a Stagecoach driver
• Mack has already visited Stagecoach depots in Ayr and Arran – and once inspired a school nativity starring a Stagecoach bus

A young Ayrshire bus enthusiast enjoyed a VIP experience when he was given a behind-the-scenes tour of Stagecoach’s Kilmarnock Depot.

Eight-year-old Mack Caddis, from Ayr, visited the depot on 14 August, where he got the chance to see how the local bus operation works and meet some of the Stagecoach team.

The Kincaidston Primary School pupil has been fascinated by Stagecoach buses since he was just four years old, after temporary traffic lights outside his home gave him a front-row seat as double-decker buses stopped on the busy main road.

Since then, Mack has taught himself an impressive amount about buses, including registrations, routes and fleet numbers. He regularly visits Ayr bus station to take photographs and videos of the buses and particularly enjoys visiting Stagecoach depots.

His latest visit to Kilmarnock follows previous trips to Stagecoach’s Ayr depot and the company’s Arran depot last year.

Mack’s passion for buses is so well known that when he started Primary 1, his school even adapted its nativity play so Mary and Joseph could arrive by Stagecoach bus.

His mum, Jodi Caddis, said:

“Mack has honestly been obsessed with Stagecoach buses since he was just four years old. It all kicked off right outside our house on the busy main road when some temporary traffic lights went up. The double-deckers would stop right there, and that was it – he was hooked!

“He has taught himself everything, from registrations and routes to fleet numbers. He loves going to Ayr bus station where he loves to take pictures and videos. It genuinely makes his day.

“He’s even got his heart set on becoming a driver when he’s older, specifically driving a double-decker on the 97 route down to Craig Tara!

“Honestly, though, his absolute favourite thing is getting to visit the different Stagecoach depots. Getting that behind-the-scenes look makes him feel like a total VIP and he looks forward to it so much.

“Rachel Hart at Stagecoach has been amazing for always organising those visits for him; we appreciate it more than words can say and all the staff are just so lovely to him.”

Stagecoach Marketing Assistant Rachel Hart said:

"Mack’s enthusiasm for buses and his knowledge of our fleet is remarkable. It’s always a pleasure to help arrange these visits and give him the opportunity to meet the teams behind our services. He continues to impress us with his passion and incredible attention to detail."

Mack’s enthusiasm for buses is already pointing towards his future ambition, with the youngster hoping one day to take his place behind the wheel of a Stagecoach double-decker.

For now, he can continue adding to his impressive bus knowledge and ticking off more depots on his Stagecoach travels.