RAIL visitors to the Borders are being given a cheery welcome at Stow, Tweedbank and Galashiels by the new Borders Railway Ambassadors. 

Rachel Collins and Jim Watters, pictured above at the Transport Interchange in Galashiels, were selected as ambassadors for the historic occasion, and they greeted the first visitors to arrive at the Galashiels Transport Interchange by steam train.

Rachel and Jim, both from Galashiels, are among seven newly recruited ambassadors who are providing local advice and information to visitors using the new Borders Railway. Scottish Borders Council is funding the posts.

Clad in bright red and seeking out visitors, the ambassadors are able to handle accommodation queries, advise on things to see and do as well as provide information on local events and are promoting the wonderful local food and the wide variety of places to eat out.

Business has been brisk so far, with the ambassadors all on duty for the first day of public services on Sunday and extra shifts added on Monday, Tuesday and of course the Royal Opening Day. They will be on hand every Friday to Sunday until November and will also be in attendance on each day the steam train service operates during this time.

Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “The Borders Railway Ambassadors are providing an important service to visitors to the Scottish Borders and have already had a busy weekend helping the very first tourists who arrived on the new railway.

“Tourism is vital to our local economy and having the ambassadors at the three stations to welcome people to our beautiful Scottish Borders and help them discover the best the area has to offer will contribute to maximising the economic benefits of the Borders Railway.”

Councillor Bell added: “Ticket sales for the pilot steam train services have been phenomenal and these will bring thousands of people to the Scottish Borders over the next six weeks. I hope that this demonstration of the interest in such a service will lead to longer term plans being put in place for more steam trains to operate on the new line.”