Portnahaven it's not...

MacBraynes had some splendid little 'dormy sheds' or depots across the Western Highlands.  For my Port Appin layout I've tried to capture the essence of one of this this famous operators buildings. 

From the front you could be forgiven for thinking this was the shed at Port Askaig on Islay.  I've copied the door structure - two sliders - which actually work!  A first for one of my models.

From a side elevation (when it's finished) you may think this is based on the Portnahaven shed also on Islay.  Indeed those 'in the know' may  recognise it from the wonderful watercolour by Ron Lawson, complete with the MacBraynes faded name on the side - which is still visible today.

In actual fact my model is a mix and match of both of these buildings.  In real life they weren't pretty, just purely functional.  These two sheds could only house 4 vehicles between them, revenues from the routes they served wasn't vast and any sort of vehicle refuge was an unaffordable luxury.  Indeed as MacBraynes extended their influence in the region many vehicles were kept outside of the driver's house or in a lay-by close to it.