Queen to open Borders to Edinburgh railway

The Queen is to officially open the rail line next month before going on a steam train journey along the route

The Queen is to officially open the new rail line between the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh next month.

She will carry out the ceremony on 9 September where she will be joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a steam journey along the route.

The first passenger services are due to run along the line a few days earlier.

Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said it was a "great honour" that the Queen would lead the opening celebrations.

The event coincides with the day that Her Majesty will become Britain's longest-serving monarch.

On 9 September, she will pass the figure reached by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

Buckingham Palace has calculated that Queen Victoria reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes, taking into account 63 years, 15 leap days and the precise timings of her accession and death.

Mr Brown said: "The people of the Borders and Midlothian have waited almost half a century to see the return of their railway and it is fitting that these two such historic events coincide.

"This will be a double celebration and we are also ensuring that the people who have campaigned, worked hard and shown such patience throughout this process are able to play a full part in the celebrations, with a separate day dedicated just to them."

'Historic day'

The Queen and Prince Philip will arrive at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to board the train drawn by the steam locomotive Union of South Africa on the morning of 9 September.

They will travel the route, stopping off at Newtongrange in Midlothian before carrying on to the final stop on the new railway at the Borders town of Tweedbank.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: "We are thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen will open the new Borders Railway on such a special day for the Royal Family.

"The Borders Railway will open up Midlothian and the Borders to so many more opportunities including tourism, leisure, work and education, and marking the opening of the line with a royal visit really is wonderful.

"This will be a truly historic day and we're honoured to share it with Her Majesty."

Councillor Graham Garvie, convener of Scottish Borders Council, said they were "thrilled" with the royal opening.