ScotRail, the Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP), and the Great Tapestry of Scotland have launched an exciting initiative to engage school children across the country in the 2026 ‘Art Along the Borders Railway Line’ competition. This creative challenge encouraged students to design a poster that would inspire visitors to explore the Borders Railway, showcasing the rich culture, heritage, and destinations along the route from Edinburgh through Midlothian and into the Scottish Borders.
The response to the competition was overwhelming, with nearly 200 entries received. Pupils demonstrated remarkable creativity, artistic talent, and a deep connection to the Borders region. From these entries, twelve winning designs have been selected to be reproduced as posters. These will be displayed at railway stations between Edinburgh Waverley and Tweedbank, offering customers a unique perspective of the scenic route through the eyes of young artists.
Paul McKay, ScotRail communications director, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “ScotRail is committed to making a positive impact on communities across the country, and this is an excellent example of that. The project has helped to connect young people with rail travel and the communities in the Borders, and we’re incredibly grateful to all those who took part. The artworks show a fresh and inspiring perspective of one of Scotland’s most scenic routes, and I’d encourage customers to look out for them at stations along the Borders Railway when they go on display.”
The twelve finalists’ artwork has been professionally framed and is part of an exhibit at the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre. A special preview event for the winners, their families, and invited guests took place on Friday, March 27, with the exhibition opening to the public the following day.
Judith Cleghorn, BRCP vice chair, expressed her delight at being involved with the competition. She said: “The Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP) is delighted to have been involved with the Art Along the Line competition. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, and with nearly 200 entries, it was very difficult to choose the winners. I’d like to thank everyone who took part, and we look forward to seeing the new posters in place on our stations along the Borders Railway line.”
All entries are being showcased digitally at the exhibition, ensuring every participant’s work is recognised and celebrated. This digital display highlights the dedication and effort put in by the young artists, providing a platform for their creativity to be appreciated by a wider audience.
Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, director of the Great Tapestry of Scotland centre, praised the initiative, saying: “We were absolutely delighted to support and host this project at the Great Tapestry of Scotland. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how young people from across the region have responded to the Borders Railway, capturing its landscapes, stories, and sense of journey with such creativity and insight. Creating opportunities like this, where young voices are celebrated both within our centre and along the railway, reflects the strength of partnership working and what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose. We are very proud to have played a part in bringing these works to life and sharing them with a wider audience.”
The competition is part of broader efforts to connect communities along the Borders Railway and encourage rail travel, while celebrating the creativity of young people across Scotland. Through this initiative, the collaboration between ScotRail, BRCP, and the Great Tapestry of Scotland has not only highlighted the beauty of the Borders Railway but also provided a meaningful platform for the next generation of artists to express their vision.
