Connecting Midlothian, ten years on....

photo credit - Louis Charvet

It’s all about ‘connection’.  From Waverly Station to Tweedbank, the line launched in 2015 - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were present at Newtongrange to open the line.  It was the Queen's first visit to Midlothian for many years and on the same day she became the longest reigning Monarch after Queen Victoria. 

The railway line distance is thirty miles with a time schedule of fifty five minutes from start to end. Making visiting, commuting and travel much easier for passengers, who can enjoy the busy city of Edinburgh or the tranquility of the scenic borders region.

Stop offs offer a host of visitor attractions, from the Newtongrange mining museum to Roslyn Chapel. It opens the Borders too which may sometimes be overlooked as a destination - from the Royal borough of Peebles to the textile gem of Galashiels. 

Getting there is one thing, but getting there with an excellent view of the greenery and hills is quite another.  The average price to date is £12.50 return. I’d say the trip itself is well worth the while.

So if you are considering some of the many historical sites which you can access from this route, from the City to the border lands of Sir Walter Scott, author of Rob Roy and many other titles - also potentially the founder of ‘the historic novel’.  You have found the track for you! Get on board!