Scotland’s new Borders Railway has started its public service today and will be officially opened by the Queen on Wednesday.
The railway will take passengers on a 30-mile, 55-minute journey from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. The £294m project has taken just over two years to construct and includes 10 stations.
The original Waverley Route, which closed 46 years and eight months ago, transformed the Scottish Borders into a globally renowned centre for wool and textile manufacture.
To celebrate the opening of the longest domestic railway to open in the UK for over a century, supermodel Anna Freemantle – dressed in clothes of fabrics that made the region and railway famous – joined VisitScotland at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.
It’s hoped the new scenic railway will boost tourism with visitors exploring Midlothian’s mining past and the Scottish Borders which has great cycling, beautiful textiles and stunning landscapes, famous for inspiring Sir Walter Scott.
Iconic attractions along the route include Rosslyn Chapel (above) made famous by the DaVinci Code, Abbotsford House – the home of Sir Walter Scott, the popular National Mining Museum Scotland and breathtaking Melrose Abbey.
The Queen will officially open the railway with a special steam train trip which also marks the day she becomes Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “The golden age of rail has definitely returned to Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders! The start of services on the Borders Railway is a truly historic moment for Scotland, the UK and the world, bringing to back to life these regions that played such an integral role in the forming of many of Scotland’s now global industries.”
Special steam train journeys along the Borders Railway line will also be available every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from Thursday 10 September until Sunday 18 October, giving visitors the chance to experience the full return journey from Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank in the comfort of a beautifully refurbished vintage steam train carriage. This service is only available for six weeks and tickets begin at £40 per adult and £20 per child aged under 16.
Click here to book tickets on the railway.
See Borders Railway and VisitScotland
Scotland is on my personal “Bucket List” so I really appreciated your information.