Lothian has crowned a new Driver of the Year following the annual competition at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston today (Thursday 22 May).
18 finalists from across the Lothian Group were tasked with sitting a theory test, practical road driving test and obstacle course.
Following some fierce competition, the top spot went to Harvey Stroud (Lothian Country). In second place was Thomas Gilhooley (East Coast Buses), and in third place was John James Smith (Lothian, Central).
The top three finishers will travel to Blackpool later in the year to participate in the UK Bus Driver of the Year Finals. Lothian enjoyed recent success in this competition, with East Coast Buses driver Thomas Gilhooley taking first place in 2024.
The full list of winners from today’s competition are as follows:
- 1st Place – Harvey Stroud (Lothian Country)
- 2nd Place – Thomas Gilhooley (East Coast Buses)
- 3rd Place – John James Smith (Lothian, Central)
- Lothian Overall Winner – John James Smith (Central)
- East Coast Buses Overall Winner – Thomas Gilhooley
- Edinburgh Bus Tours Overall Winner – Allan Hope
- Lothian Country Overall Winner – Harvey Stroud
- Garage of the Year – Lothian Country
Congratulations go to all competitors (listed below) for their excellent performances in the competition.
Central Garage
John Jamie Smith
Christopher Taylor
Philip Grieves
Longstone Garage
Darren Greig
CK McLeod-Bain
Ben Johnston
Marine Garage
Corey Gray
Stuart Waite
Scott Grant
Lothian Country
Harvey Stroud
Jordon Connor
Dominik Juchniewicz
East Coast Buses
Thomas Gilhooley
Colin Kelly
Steven Allen
Edinburgh Bus Tours
Stanley Frost
Murray Shepherd
Allan Hope