Margaret Muirhead, (1883-1981) was the wife of William Kinross. She rode and showed hackney ponies with great success. Her daughter remembers a particularly fine hackney pony called Lochardil Orchid (see buggy below) that was startled by a pipe band whilst being held by the groom for judging. He reared up and fell over, but Willie Kinross dashed into the ring and brought him under control by sitting on his head to pin him down.
Mrs Kinross photographed at Allen Park in a Kinross Show Phaeton. The lightness of this elegant vehicle allows freedom of movement for the animals and is suitable for showing a single or pair (with a pole) of well-bred showy horses with extravagant action in a show class or concours d’élégance. There is a small rumble seat at the rear for the groom mounted on a fine iron frame. The body is suspended on two pairs of full elliptic springs, while the arch allows the front wheels to turn underneath on full lock.
Mrs Kinross photographed in a Kinross Cut-Under Phaeton beneath Stirling Castle. This vehicle is mounted on a pair of transverse elliptic springs on a central perch. The cut-under style body allows the front wheels to turn under half lock. There is a box behind the seat for luggage.
Mrs Kinross showing a very smart hackney put to a Kinross Piano Box Buggy. This light vehicle allows the hackney to move freely for showing. The simple “piano box” like body is suspended at each end on a transverse elliptical spring directly onto a solid axle. The lock is limited to a quarter by the reach (or perch), which runs from the front to rear axle, which can give problems if the horse turns sharply. This style of seat is known as a “stick back”.
This is probably a photograph of Lochardil Orchid. He was foaled near Dublin in 1917, being well-bred by Mathias, dam Woodhatch Sunflower by Poloius. William Kinross bought him from William S.Miller of Balmanno, who was a successful exhibitor in harness classes at that time. (Research by Tom Ryder).
This photograph was used in the article "Horse and Buggy Days" by Tony Butler in the Oct-Nov 2004 edition of Carriage Driving magazine.