Firstminister.gov.scot
facebook
instagram
flickr
YouTube
twitter
  • Home
  • News
  • Join In
  • People
  • About

Home » News » Boosting the economy » A double celebration

A double celebration

10 September 2015

It was a day of great celebration in Scotland as Her Majesty The Queen performed the official opening of the new Borders Railway on the day she became the longest reigning monarch in Britain’s history.

To mark the occasion, the First Minister joined Her Majesty, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and 150 other guests on a very special train journey on a steam locomotive – the Union of South Africa – from Waverley Station, where a large crowd had gathered to see the train off on its journey.

Please accept statistics cookies to watch this video.

After a brief stop in Newtongrange and a slow pass through Galashiels, the train arrived in Tweedbank, where Her Majesty was introduced by the First Minister, before saying a few words and unveiling a special plaque in front of the crowd and the world’s media.

The Queen opens the Borders Railway

During her introduction, the First Minister passed on her own congratulations to Her Majesty on the significant milestone she has reached. Addressing Her Majesty directly, the First Minister said:

I want to start by acknowledging the milestone which makes this a historic day for many people far beyond the Scottish Borders. Your Majesty today becomes the longest reigning monarch in Scottish and UK history. Throughout your reign – supported at all times by the Duke of Edinburgh – you have carried out your duties with dedication, wisdom and an exemplary sense of public service. As a result, you are admired and held in affection across the Commonwealth and around the world.

“The reception you have received today, demonstrates that that admiration and affection is certainly felt here in Scotland.”

You can read the First Minister’s speech of introduction here.

The world's media gathered in Tweedbank to mark the Queen opening the Borders Railway on the day she became Britain's longest serving monarch on September 9, 2015

A photo posted by Scottish Government (@scotgov) on Sep 10, 2015 at 4:25am PDT

Please accept statistics cookies to watch this video.

 

The Borders Rail Project

The Borders Rail project, which was constructed on time and on budget, is the longest new domestic railway to be constructed in Britain for more than 100 years, and connects communities in the Borders and Midlothian to the rail network for the first time in more than 40 years.

The new railway line is the result of £300m of investment and the work of more than 1000 people. It involved building or repairing well over 100 bridges, and at 31 miles, it is the longest new domestic railway in Britain for more than a century.

The Borders Railway line will provide better connections for local businesses and residents and provides a connection from Edinburgh to the beauty of the Borders in less than an hour.

The First Minister said:

The Borders Railway line will help to generate prosperity and improve people’s quality of life. By doing so, it will bring major benefits for Midlothian and the Borders – and for Scotland as a whole.”

Borders Railway line plaque

 

Rotating Tweets Shortcode

Twitter

Watch First Minister @NicolaSturgeon wish everyone celebrating a peaceful and happy #ChineseNewYear ⬇️ #YearOfTheOx pic.twitter.com/Wb6TxVJQrS

A year on from the publication of the Care Review, First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has reaffirmed her commitment to delivering the changes needed to improve the lives of care experienced people #KeepThePromise pic.twitter.com/1y9gOn3HXf

Scotland is committed to ensuring that we use the full potential of the Coalition to deliver ambitious and deliverable plans for a just transition to net zero. We must work together to address the climate crisis and build a greener, fairer and more equal world. pic.twitter.com/hXFnBw0THV

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has spoken to Minister-President Kretschmann from @RegierungBW to discuss the handover of the European co-chair of the #Under2Coalition from Baden-Württemberg to Scotland as well as a number of other shared priorities. pic.twitter.com/8OqDPpmu6f

“We must continue to try to be the light, wherever there is darkness.” On #HolocaustMemorialDay First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has honoured the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, and called for everyone to build a safer, more peaceful world. pic.twitter.com/5cOE8KIHoe

FM @NicolaSturgeon has met the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls to discuss the latest @NACWGScot report into tackling gender inequality in Scotland. Check out the full report bit.ly/2020NACWGReport #GenerationEqual pic.twitter.com/adbqX3gNuw

The Scottish Government has lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) with the Scottish Parliament, recommending that consent cannot be given to the UK Government’s “inadequate and damaging” Brexit deal with the EU. More information: gov.scot/news/brexit-de… pic.twitter.com/aF6hfFmDqX

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has addressed the Zero Carbon Forum and committed to working with our European partners to fight climate change. We are delighted that Mayor @AnneHidalgo signed the Edinburgh Declaration on biodiversity this week, on behalf of the city of Paris. pic.twitter.com/V87NNkLQ2V

We have a winner! Sophie Blackett, Age 10 from Calderwood, East Kilbride has designed the First Minister's 2020 Christmas card.🎄📨 Well done Sophie and thank you to everyone who took part, we had almost 700 fantastic entries.🌟 Sophie's design along with the message inside⬇️ twitter.com/ScotGovFM/stat… pic.twitter.com/EjBNmEaPk4

“We want Scotland to be regarded internationally as a leader on human rights issues.” – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a message to mark #HumanRightsDay Watch the full message⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6NXzsQISfR

Follow @ScotGovFM

JOIN IN

First Minister’s Postbag

Share your thoughts with the First Minister.

GET IN TOUCH

JOIN IN

Follow us online

For wider Scottish Government News please go to www.gov.scot

twitter
YouTube
flickr
instagram
facebook

Copyright Scottish Government 2021

  • About the site
  • Privacy Policy and Content Disclaimer
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility
  • Rules of engagement
The Scottish Government

Change Cookie Settings

twitterYouTubeflickrinstagramfacebook
  • Home
  • News
  • Join In
  • People
  • About