BELLS AND WHISTLES

LAURENCEKIRK is a small town next to the main A90 trunk road between Dundee and Aberdeen. Apart from being home to some old Land Rovers, its main claim to fame is the unusual pastime of making snuff boxes. These Victorian boxes feature a special type of airtight hinge invented by James Sandy, and are sought-after antiques.

The same could also be said of Land Rover fire appliances. Particularly popular back in the 1960s, they were mainly used by industrial companies as a back-up to the local fire brigade. The survivors were eventually sent for auction, and many have ended up in the hands of private collectors.

Unlike other Land Rovers the majority of these appliances spent most of their service career kicking their heels, with the occasional training exercise to relieve the boredom. The lucky ones were