The £15 million station reconnects East Linton to the national rail network for the first time in almost six decades.

The Minister was joined on the platform by guests including representatives from the rail industry, East Lothian Council, RAGES (Rail Action Group East of Scotland), and the local community to unveil a plaque to mark the opening of the new station.

Fiona Hyslop, minister for transport said: “The new East Linton station is the latest example of this Scottish Government’s commitment to building and investing in Scotland’s Railway. Our aim is to encourage more people out of their car and on to sustainable public transport.

“The station will open-up education, leisure, and business opportunities for East Linton’s growing community, while also offering greener ways to travel as we work towards our ambitious Net Zero goals.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked to deliver this project, on the ground and in the background, as we look forward to welcoming passengers for many years to come.”

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, added: “The new East Linton station is an exciting development that has the potential to help transform the area by improving transport links and triggering further investment and economic growth.

“The station will offer East Linton’s growing population a more sustainable, cleaner travel option and is an important part of our commitment – alongside the Scottish Government – to expand the rail network and open-up Scotland’s Railway to new communities.

“Our project team has worked incredibly hard to deliver this new station and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the station will have in the community in years to come.”

East Lothian Council Leader Norman Hampshire said: “The arrival of the first train at the new East Linton Station will be a historic moment for the local community. After so many decades without passenger services, people living and working in the area are very excited and will benefit greatly from improved transport connections.

“East Lothian Council has invested almost £3.5 million in this fantastic new infrastructure. With the county being one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, we believe the new station can also boost the local economy.”

Chris Jackson, managing director of TransPennine Express, commented: “This is a landmark day for East Linton and for TPE, and we’re delighted we’ve been able to work with our partners to help connect communities in the Scottish Borders.

“For the first time in nearly six decades, rail services are calling at East Linton and it was fantastic to see so many using our newly named ‘Hailes Castle’ train this morning.”

The train was greeted at East Linton by a piper and the Minister was joined by local school children from East Linton Primary school to celebrate the return of passenger services to the town. Around 130,000 journeys are expected to be made to and from East Linton in the first year of its operation.

Commuters will be able to connect into Edinburgh Waverley, with direct access to the East Coast Main Line also available for services to Dunbar and Newcastle. As well as improving transport connectivity, the station will help transform the economic outlook of the area it will serve.

Services at the station will be provided by both ScotRail and TransPennine Express with 22 services each weekday calling at East Linton and an average journey time to Edinburgh of 22 minutes, as opposed to 40 minutes in the car.

The new station boasts two 158m long platforms and is fully accessible with step-free access across the railway via a footbridge with lifts. Weekend services are 23 trains on a Saturday and 9 on a Sunday.

The new station at East Linton includes:

• Two new 158m long, 4m wide station platforms and associated furniture (waiting shelters, seating, and ticket machines).
• A new footbridge across the railway, incorporating lifts and stairs on either side.
• Lighting columns throughout the site and CCTV
• Car park, bus stop with shelter and a drop-off space.
• 114 parking spaces including blue badge priority parking and 18 electric vehicle charging points.
• Cycle storage facilities.

East Linton is the latest station to be added to Scotland’s Railway following completion of Inverness Airport station in February 2023. The original East Linton station closed in 1964.