SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) is working closely with a number of partner organisations to ensure that the opening of the Borders Railway and associated events run smoothly.

Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council (SBC), said: “The Golden Ticket day on Saturday 5 September and the Royal opening of the Borders Railway on Wednesday 9 September are enormously important for the Scottish Borders and we are working extremely hard with a range of partners on the very complex logistics of these events to make sure they go to plan.

“In addition to these two very high profile events there are numerous other events taking place during the opening of week of the Borders Railway which the Council is involved with and which also require a great deal of planning, not least the Aviva Tour of Britain professional cycle race which arrives in the area on Tuesday 8 September.

“With the combination of these events and the many community-organised events taking place during the opening week of the railway it will be seven days which will live long in the memory of local residents and the many visitors who are expected to come to the Scottish Borders to join in the celebrations.” Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will arrive at Tweedbank Station for the main opening ceremony of the Borders Railway on Wednesday 9 September.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will arrive on the Union of South Africa steam train and will be met by the Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale and an official welcoming party of representatives from the Scottish Borders. The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, will then invite Her Majesty to unveil a plaque to mark the opening of the Borders Railway.

Full details of the arrangements for public attendance at the Royal opening, including parking and timings, will be published in due course.

Timeline of events: Friday 4 September · No public events are taking place.

Saturday 5 September Golden Ticket Day – ticket holders will take return trips covering the full route.

Sunday 6 September Open to public – usual Sunday service will operate. First train arrives at Stow at 9.55am; Galashiels at 10.04am; and Tweedbank at 10.08am. First departure from Tweedbank at 8.45am; Galashiels at 8.49am; and Stow at 8.58am.

The 21st Scottish Borders Walking Festival will be hosted by Galashiels community from 6 to 12 September.

Monday 7 September First full standard weekday service.

Tuesday 8 September Aviva Tour of Britain professional cycle race arrives in the Scottish Borders, racing through Newcastleton, Hawick, Selkirk, Tweedbank and Melrose ahead of stage finish at Floors Castle, Kelso.

Wednesday 9 September Her Majesty The Queen officially opens the Borders Railway.

The Aviva Tour of Britain passes through the east of the region, taking in the Lammermuir Hills, Duns and Coldstream on the route between Edinburgh and Blyth, Northumberland.

Thursday 10 September First Steam Train service begins.