Thursday April 14th 2016
From left to right: Kevin Thom, of Butterfly World, John Kane, of the National Mining Museum Scotland, Emily Gray of Stewart Brewing, Newton, the mining museum’s mascot, Simon Beattie of Rosslyn Chapel and Mhairi Kristoffersen of the Paper Mill in Lasswade.
Today saw the launch of the new hop on, hop off Midlothian Explorer bus.
The new 527 bus service, which will leave from outside the National Mining Museum Scotland, will link the Borders Railway with Midlothian communities and visitor attractions.
Ava, 5, her sister Ayleigh, 14, mum Gail and dad Mark said they are looking forward to their first trip on the hourly service.
The Irvine family from Gorebridge were at the launch. Mum Gail said: “It will be great to use it in the summertime when the kids are off school, especially as there are special discounts at some of the attractions.”
The bus, run by Prentice Coaches, will stop at Dalkeith High Street (for the Corn Exchange and Dalkeith Country Park), Butterfly World at Dobbies in Lasswade, Straiton Retail Park, Roslin (for the country park and Rosslyn Chapel), Loanhead (for Stewart Brewing) and Lasswade village (for eateries including the Paper Mill and Laird & Dog), before returning to the mining museum.
The service starts on Monday 18 April and will run from 10am until 4pm, seven days a week until 23 October 2016.
As well as the Irvines, representatives from just some of the attractions came along to the launch, including Kevin Thom who brought a python snake from Butterfly World and Newton, the mining museum mascot.
Tickets for unlimited journeys throughout the day cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. A family ticket of two adults and three children will be £12. Children under five travel for free as do people aged over 60 who produce their valid concessionary pass.
The ticket also gives passengers access to special promotions. For example, if you produce your rail ticket or Midlothian Explorer ticket, you get £1.50 off the entry price for an adult at the mining museum. Children go free.
Midlothian’s chief executive Kenneth Lawrie said: “This new hop on, hop off bus service is a great example of partnership working. Along with Visit Midlothian and the Borders Railway, we want to make it easy for visitors to access our excellent tourist spots, which is key to increasing tourism revenue overall.”
For more information on the Midlothian Explorer service visit: www.midlothian.gov.uk/mid-explorer
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