guide
The Borders Railway is the northern section of the historical Waverley Route that once connected Edinburgh and Carlisle. The Waverley Route was closed in 1969 and this northern section from Edinburgh to Tweedbank was reinstated in 2015. The line connects Scotland's capital city to the beloved borderlands of Sir Walter Scott.
The publication of this guide coincided with the opening of the Borders railway in 2015. Originally combined with a print publication in a ground-breaking format, the guide is now available to a wider audience through this website.
There are two main parts to the guide:
The Station Areas helps you explore the Borders Railway route, find maps and ideas for what to see and do, and find out more about the history, wildlife and visitor attractions.
The Story of the Borders Railway describes the history of the railway, lavishly illustrated throughout with videos, photographs, documents, a number never before published. It is accompanied by accounts of "lives on the line" - the stories of individuals who planned, built and worked on the line both in the past and present.
Jump on board and enjoy the ride!
Explore
Use the map below as an easy reference for things to see and do in the areas around all the stations on the Borders Railway. You can also check out the various walking and cycling routes. Use the map for planning and inspiration!
There are ten stations on this modern line and each one is the starting point of a different and unique adventure into the historical, natural and cultural heritage of this un-discovered part of Scotland.
about
'On and Off the Borders Railway' was created by Wendy E. Ball and Will Finlayson as part of their heritage interpretation venture, Locus Focus. The guide was a ground breaking attempt to bring together print and digital media in one publication to provide an engaging, interactive and comprehensive package with a wide appeal. There are however no plans to reprint the guide and so the digital content previously locked in the app is now being made available to a wider audience through this website.
For the Borders Railway, the journey is only just beginning. There are many changes happening: new services, facilities and attractions are developing; existing businesses are adapting; new routes are being drawn. These activities are being encouraged and supported, in particular, by a couple of key organisations:
The Borders Railway Community Partnership was established in 2015 to encourage and facilitate community involvement in maximising the benefits of the railway to the communities it serves.
Borders Railway Blueprint implements the governmental strategy to maximise the potential of the line.