Nichola Rutherford
BBC Scotland

Thank you for joining us on the live page this week.

We've got an exciting few days ahead of us in the Borders. Keep checking the BBC Scotland website for more news about the new railway over the weekend.

We'll be back with live updates on Monday from 9am.

@HeriotWattUni tweets:, external @BordersRailway launches on Sunday! Travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Galashiels in 50 mins! Great news for our Borders Campus students!

Selkirk's new £750,000 artificial sports pitch has been officially opened.

Image source, Scottish Borders Council

Scotland under 21 hockey captain Emily Newlands and Scotland rugby sevens player Nyle Godsmark, who are both former Selkirk High School students, carried out the ceremony.

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC Scotland news website

The excitement is clearly building ahead of the Borders Railway opening this weekend.

If you're travelling along the line, why not send your pictures and thoughts to selkirk.news@bbc.co.uk

Or Tweet us @BBCSouthScot, external.

BBC Scotland Weather
Latest

It'll be cloudy with patchy drizzle across the Borders during the first part of the night, before skies clear.

Largely dry across Dumfries and Galloway, with cloud and any remaining drizzle soon pulling away to leave clear spells.

Winds will be a light to moderate northerly, and it'll turn quite chilly in any sheltered rural spots. Temperatures will dip as low as 3 Celsius.

Remember, our last two local radio bulletins of the week are coming up at 16:30 and 17:30 today.

Get all the latest from the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway on 92-95FM and 810MW.

Main Borders Railway contractor BAM Nuttall tweets:, external @BordersRailway The Borders team munched their way through an estimated 50,000 bacon rolls throughout the project! #MyBordersRailway

A total of 110 competitors will line up for Sunday's 13th Crossmichael triathlon.

Twenty-five teams have entered the event, along with 35 individuals. They'll tackle a one mile open swim in the River Dee; a 25-mile cycle race round Loch Ken, and a run of seven and a quarter miles.

VisitScotland has given a sneak preview of what to expect from the Borders Railway when it opens this weekend.

Image source, VisitScotland

Check out some of the images from along the route in our gallery here.

@ArtemisScotland tweets:, external @BBCSouthScot Our #SirWalterScott enjoys a trip on the new #BordersRailway

Image source, Artemis Scotland

Annan Athletic will be hoping to continue their winning form this weekend but they face a tough task in order to do so.

However, they do have home advantage for their game against leaders East Fife.

@STEPStirling tweets:, external Great news that the Borders railway is opening today! Fab to have a fast connection for businesses.

The popular 10@Kirroughtree mountain bike challenge returns to the Galloway Forest Park on Saturday.

Image source, Thinkstock

Individuals, as well as relay teams of two, three and four riders, will have ten hours to complete as many laps as they can of a 10-mile course.

Kerr Fisher of the organising club, Galloway Hillbillies, says they've also lined up a full day's entertainment for all the family.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Andrew Burns has also been among those eagerly anticipating the opening of the rail line between the capital and Tweedbank.

He said: "The return of the Borders Railway is a historic occasion for Edinburgh, Midlothian and Scottish Borders.

"It is a welcome addition to the region's tourism offer as well as a crucial service for commuters into the city."

BBC Scotland Travel
Latest

That accident on the the A74(M) near J19 Ecclefechan is now clear...so those southbound delays heading down to Gretna are easing.

@natural_frown tweets:, external Sadly, they'll suffer the same as the Fife circle - inadequate number of carriages especially when events r on

Sandra Brown
BBC Scotland

In League One Stranraer are hoping to pick up their second win of the season this weekend.

They face bottom side Brechin at Stair Park.

VisitScotland is embarking on a national and international marketing campaign to encourage visitors to experience the Borders Railway.

Image source, PA

Attractions along the route include Rosslyn Chapel, Abbotsford House - the home of Sir Walter Scott, the National Mining Museum Scotland and Melrose Abbey.

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay 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 back to life these regions that played such an integral role in the forming of many of Scotland's now global industries."

Dumfries Saints have their first home game of the season tomorrow when they welcome Haddington to Park Farm.

Both sides opened their National League Division three campaign with victories last weekend.

While in the regional leagues, Langholm start their season away to Penicuik in East division two.

There's also cup action this weekend. In the first round of the regional Bowl, Wigtownshire are at home to Shawlands and Moffat entertain Hyndland. And in the Shield, Stewartry host Cumbernauld, and Annan travel to face Cumnock.

@Liam_Beattie tweets:, external 7 yrs ago I wrote @BBCSouthScot on benefits of @BordersRailway for young people - on Sunday those become a reality!