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Saturday 6 Sep 2025

Borders Railway celebrates 10th anniversary

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

First Minister John Swinney joined celebrations in Galashiels today to mark ten years since the reopening of the Borders Railway. 

On 6 September 2015, train services returned to the Scottish Borders for the first time in more than forty years, reconnecting Edinburgh with communities across Midlothian and all the way to Tweedbank. 

The major project, funded by the Scottish Government, included seven new stations and the restoration of a vital 30-mile route that had been lost when the original line closed in 1969. 

Since its return, the Borders Railway has carried over 13 million passenger journeys and has become a vital transport link for residents, commuters and visitors. 

The anniversary was marked with a special event at the Great Tapestry of Scotland Museum on Saturday 6 September 2025. The First Minister was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, local MSP Christine Grahame, and around 100 guests including representatives from Scotland’s Railway and community leaders. 

The celebration featured speeches reflecting on the reconnection and regeneration the Borders Railway has inspired over the past decade, alongside a recital of a tenth anniversary poem by spoken word artist Erin Boyle. 

First Minister John Swinney said: “The Borders Railway is more than steel and stations - it is a story of ambition, collaboration and resilience. Ten years on, it has exceeded expectations, connected communities, and laid the foundation for future growth.  

“It is clear to see the impact of the Scottish Government’s £353m investment in 2015. The 30 miles of new railway and seven new stations have delivered major economic and social development opportunities within the region and beyond.  

“Just yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport set out the next chapter: a £342m investment to electrify the Borders and Fife routes by 2031 – making services greener, more reliable, and more accessible.  

“So today we can look back with pride, and look forward with confidence to a greener, fairer, more connected future for Scotland’s railways.” 

Beyond the tracks, the railway has been a catalyst for social and economic change. It has helped generate inward investment to local communities including the construction of thousands of new homes and unlocking 150 hectares of land along the railway for commercial development. 

Catherine Hall, director strategy and investment, Network Rail, Scotland, said: “The Borders Railway has been a phenomenal success in every sense - from the huge numbers of passengers using the railway over the last ten years, to encouraging wider economic investment within the communities it serves. It really has exceeded original expectations revolutionising the Scottish Borders economy, increasing business investment, driving footfall, boosting tourism and improving work and leisure opportunities. 

“We are committed to further improving Scotland’s Railway, including the Borders Railway, to ensure we continue to support local opportunities for growth and enhancement.” 

The environmental impact has also been significant. By offering a reliable and attractive public transport alternative, the Borders Railway is estimated to have reduced peak-time car journeys by around 60,000 each year. 

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said: “The Borders Railway has been a major boost for communities and businesses across the Borders, reconnecting people and creating new opportunities. 

“With more than 13 million journeys made in the past 10 years, it’s clear how important the line is - not just for those who live and work locally, but also in attracting visitors to the Borders. 

“Looking ahead, the Scottish Government’s £342m investment in the electrification of part of the route is a real vote of confidence in the future of the Borders Railway. It paves the way for greener, more reliable services, and even stronger connections across Scotland’s Railway.” 

READ MORE: New battery-electric trains announced for Fife and Borders railway