A well known figure in Shotts, Alexander (Sanny) STEEL who was born in Summerside farm, South of Allanton, youngest son of John STEEL and Janet Johnston BAILLIE.  Sanny left Summerside in his early teens (been told 11yr) to work on the Railways and then as a Pithead Man. The story goes he was employed as a Delivery Milkman for the local Co-operative Society, at some point he requested a raise in wages and when this was refused he advised them that he would resign and start in opposition which he duly did. 

There are many local stories about him including one jocular, where a lady was holding her milk bottle to the sky and stating "this looks guy watery" to which he replied that he could not help it if his coo fell in the burn. Another is how at the end of the working day his horse 'Jimmy' would take him home via each and every public house on his route. 

He more or less retired (although active) when the horse and cart was no longer viable. He never did learn to drive.