ScotRail Train travelling along the Borders Railway

Paul Bigland

Galashiels Station along the Borders Railway

Paul Bigland

See a snapshot of Scottish history as you travel along the Borders Railway.

Trains leave the Scottish capital of Edinburgh and pass through the historic mining villages of Gorebridge and Newtongrange, Scotland’s largest mining town in the 1890s and home of the National Mining Museum. The line then moves into the beautiful rolling hills of The Scottish Borders once home to Sir Walter Scott famed for his writing and often credited with ‘inventing’ modern Scotland.

Discover 420 million years of Scotland's history, heritage, innovations and culture as you explore the Great Tapestry of Scotland, only a 5 minute walk from Galashiels.

Highlights

Explore the beautiful Borders village of Stow

Get some fresh air as you walk the Borders Loop which passes through Galashiels and Tweedbank

Discover the area’s mining history at the National Mining Museum

Find out more

Getting there

Train/bus Car Plane

Parking is available at all stations along the line (although spaces are limited at some).

Edinburgh Waverley is well served by train services from across Scotland and the UK (look up times). All stations along the line are well served by buses. Find bus timetables.

Route

Edinburgh - Tweedbank

Cost

£12.10 Off-Peak Day Return

Opening times

7 days a week | all year

Journey time

55min

Distance

30 miles | 48 km

Time from London

4:30 hours (see itinerary)

Plan your trip

Suggested itinerary

ITINERARY 1 - The Borders:

Take the Borders Railway from Waverley Station to Tweedbank.

Places to stay near Tweedbank:

Mention that you are travelling by train as some hotels can arrange for you to be collected from the station:

Maplehurst Boutique Guest House, Galashiels

Burts Hotel, Melrose

Kingsknowes Hotel, Galashiels

Places to Eat:

The Borders has many fine restaurants including:

Seasons at Gattonside (by Melrose)

FIrebrick Brasserie at Lauder

Grapevine, Galashiels

Bueno Gusto, Selkirk

Things to Do:

Sports, leisure and outdoors

Abbotsford - Discover the stunning home of Sir Walter Scott. Journey time – 27 minute walk or catch the Border Weaver bus service, taking only a few minutes and drops off outside the Visitor Centre.

Melrose Abbey - Admire the graceful architecture of the abbey church classes as one of Britain’s finest church architecture of the late 1300s. Journey time – 35 minute walk or catch the 314 Earlston bus that takes 12 minutes.

Harmony House Gardens - 3 acres of manicured lawns, scented borders and fruit and vegetable beds lie in front of the beautifully proportioned Georgian manor house, providing a haven of colour and fragrance. Journey time – located opposite Melrose Abbey

ITINERARY 2 - Midlothian

Take The Borders Railway to Newtongrange, Eskbank or Gorebridge (check with your hotel to find the closest station).

Places to Stay:

Dalhousie Castle

The Retreat Castle, Bonnyrigg

Places to Eat:

You are close enough to Edinburgh to take a train into the city for dinner. Or you could try some local alternatives including:

Itihaas at Dalkeith

Navaar House Bar and Bistro, Penicuik

The Paper Mill, Lasswade

Things to Do:

Rosslyn Chapel - Founded in 1446 and still in use as a place of worship, Rosslyn was introduced to a worldwide audience when featured in Dan Brown's bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Journey time – take the train from Tweedbank station to Eskbank (37 minutes) then catch the service 40 bus (runs approx. every 30 minutes) from the nearby Tesco store to Roslin.

National Mining Museum Scotland – One of the best Victorian collieries in Europe, the Lady Victoria Colliery opened in 1895 and ceased production in 1981. Journey time – 6 minute walk from Newtongrange station.

Dalkeith Country Park - Explore many beautiful walks in the park and seasonal bushcraft, and ranger activities for children. The Restoration Yard offers retail therapy and a cafe. Journey time – 25 minute walk from Eskbank or get on the number 40 Lothian Bus from outside the Tesco opposite the station.

Butterfly World – Experience the world’s longest running Butterfly House. Journey time – 35 minute walk or catch the number 29 Silverknowes bus from the nearby Tesco store.