Our train travels through Scotland’s lowlands of Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Croy, Castlecary, Falkirk, Polmont, Linlithgow, Winchburgh, Ratho, Gogar, Costorphine, Haymarket and arrive in Waverley. 2 hours 30 minutes of comfort within our first class carriage.
“The Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway opened in 1842, costing £1.2m and is one of Scotland’s great success stories linking our two cities,” I said to James.
An enormous sum when I consider our Housekeeper Agnes’ annual wage is £30.
Edinburgh’s newest station is the jewel in North British Railway’s crown and is the phoenix from the ashes of Canal Street, North Bridge and Edinburgh Princes Street Stations. This now forms one station, named after the fictional tales of Walter Scott and serves Glasgow, Granton and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Edinburgh’s expansion started in 1767, where 1.5 million cartloads of earth were emptied into the Nor Loch and formed the Mound and Princes’ Street Gardens. This change in geography enabled the extension of the railway from Haymarket.
James and I stand and take in the view up to Edinburgh Castle.
“The railway divides the New Town in the North from the Old Town to the South. We need to learn the fabric of Edinburgh if we are able to build a foothold here.” I said.
From here we head to George Street and the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
———————————- © Graeme Brown 2019 ————————————-
The Hampden Collection 