logo
Iconic steam train engine to carry passengers across Forth Bridge during Fringe Festival

Iconic steam train engine to carry passengers across Forth Bridge during Fringe Festival

STV News10 hours ago

An iconic steam engine is set to carry passengers across the Forth Bridge this summer.
The Scottish Railway Preservation Society Railtours announced it will offer passengers the chance to cross the UNESCO World Heritage Site hauled by steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.
The engine last worked a train for SRPS Railtours in 2011.
The operator said at least five special trains will run from Edinburgh Waverley during August.
There will be two services a day running via Fife, Alloa and Stirling from Edinburgh on August 14 and 18.
One trip will see the Sir Nigel Gresley haul a train to Aberdeen on August 23.
Nigel Wilson, chairman of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust (SNGLT), believes the journey is the locomotive's first visit to the Granite City since 1974.
SRPS Railtours and SNGLT are working with the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and Locomotive Services Ltd to provide the services.
Mr Wilson said the trust was 'very pleased' to see locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley return to Aberdeen. It was based there from 1962 until 1966, when SNGLT purchased it for preservation.
'The Trust aims to make our locomotive accessible to as wide an audience as possible, and these tours will be a very special opportunity to experience a trip on the mainline network with 'Sir Nigel' at the front,' he added.
Alasdair Eadington, chairman of SRPS Railtours, echoed the sentiments, saying the team was 'delighted' to offer the special journeys as the operator celebrates its 55th anniversary.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iconic steam train engine to carry passengers across Forth Bridge during Fringe Festival
Iconic steam train engine to carry passengers across Forth Bridge during Fringe Festival

STV News

time10 hours ago

  • STV News

Iconic steam train engine to carry passengers across Forth Bridge during Fringe Festival

An iconic steam engine is set to carry passengers across the Forth Bridge this summer. The Scottish Railway Preservation Society Railtours announced it will offer passengers the chance to cross the UNESCO World Heritage Site hauled by steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley. The engine last worked a train for SRPS Railtours in 2011. The operator said at least five special trains will run from Edinburgh Waverley during August. There will be two services a day running via Fife, Alloa and Stirling from Edinburgh on August 14 and 18. One trip will see the Sir Nigel Gresley haul a train to Aberdeen on August 23. Nigel Wilson, chairman of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust (SNGLT), believes the journey is the locomotive's first visit to the Granite City since 1974. SRPS Railtours and SNGLT are working with the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and Locomotive Services Ltd to provide the services. Mr Wilson said the trust was 'very pleased' to see locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley return to Aberdeen. It was based there from 1962 until 1966, when SNGLT purchased it for preservation. 'The Trust aims to make our locomotive accessible to as wide an audience as possible, and these tours will be a very special opportunity to experience a trip on the mainline network with 'Sir Nigel' at the front,' he added. Alasdair Eadington, chairman of SRPS Railtours, echoed the sentiments, saying the team was 'delighted' to offer the special journeys as the operator celebrates its 55th anniversary. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Best waterside pubs along Britain's rivers perfect for sunny weekends
Best waterside pubs along Britain's rivers perfect for sunny weekends

Daily Mirror

time21 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Best waterside pubs along Britain's rivers perfect for sunny weekends

Ahead of the sizzling weather, boat hire firm Drifters - which offers over 500 boats for hire from 40 locations across England, Scotland and Wales - has put together its list of the best river and canalside pubs in the country More scorching sunny days are on the way, which means now is the time to plot out a perfect afternoon in a pub garden. After a miserably wet start to the summer, June has turned into an absolute scorcher. The Met Office declared the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday (June 21) afternoon as Charlwood in Surrey reached 33.2C. Since then, the sweltering heat has dropped off a little as figures hovered around a more bearable low to mid-20s today (June 23). However, the blisteringly hot days and sticky nights in bed look like they will soon return. ‌ According to a weather map by WXCharts, which uses Met Desk data, temperatures will have creeped back up to 30C by 6pm on Monday, June 30. Surrounding counties, including Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire and Berkshire, will still enjoy temperatures around 28C to 29C. ‌ Ahead of the sizzling weather, boat hire firm Drifters - which offers over 500 boats for hire from 40 locations across England, Scotland and Wales - has put together its list of the best river and canalside pubs in the country. 1. The Bridge Inn, Chirk Bank in Shropshire You can reach this popular watering hole on the Llangollen Canal on a short break from Chirk, Trevor or Blackwater Meadow. Also known as The Trap, the historic Bridge Inn is on the 11-mile stretch of the Llangollen Canal designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and has views of the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct. 2. The Boat Inn, Gnosall in Staffordshire This traditional family run pub on the banks of the Shropshire Union Canal can be reached on a short break from Brewood. It has a patio area overlooking the canal and is renowned for its homemade pies and fish and chips. ‌ 3. The Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford in Warwickshire Famous for its pies, this 17th century country pub in the pretty village of Lowsonford, has extensive gardens alongside the Stratford Canal. Boaters can reach it on a short break from Wootton Wawen. 4. The Plume of Feathers, Barlaston in Staffordshire ‌ Co-owned by the actor Neil Morrissey, this popular pub on the Trent & Mersey Canal offers homemade food and locally brewed beers. There's an outdoor dining area overlooking the canal and boaters can reach it on a short break from Stoke-on-Trent or Great Haywood. 5. The Cutter Inn, Ely in Cambridgeshire Boaters can reach this popular riverside pub on the Great River Ouse to the east of Ely on a short break from Drifters canal boat hire base at Ely. The Cutter Inn has an outdoor terrace for al fresco drinking and dining with excellent river views. ‌ 6. The Dundas Arms, Kintbury in Berkshire This traditional country pub and hotel on the banks of the Kennet & Avon Canal can be reached on a short break from Aldermaston. It has a large waterside beer garden, perfect for summertime al fresco drinking and dining. 7. The Bridge Inn, Ratho in Midlothian This historic pub and hotel on the banks of the Union Canal near Edinburgh can be reached on a short break from Falkirk. There's a dining terrace overlooking the canal, and home-grown fruit and vegetables are served from the pub's walled garden. 8. The Hollybush Inn, Denford in Staffordshire Converted from an old flour mill, the Hollybush Inn on the Caldon Canal at Denford serves homemade food, award winning ales and has a large canalside garden overlooking the Staffordshire Moorlands. Canal boat holiday-makers can reach the Hollybush Inn on a week-long break from Stoke-on-Trent.

Inside beautiful city named Europe's hottest just 3 hours from UK
Inside beautiful city named Europe's hottest just 3 hours from UK

Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

Inside beautiful city named Europe's hottest just 3 hours from UK

One city in Malta has earned the titled at the hottest place in Europe, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with museums and galleries where travellers can keep cool and soak in the culture Heatwave after heatwave, the title for Europe's hottest city changes hands, but there might finally be a clear frontrunner. 101 Holidays has just named the hottest places in Europe, with one city in Malta coming out on top. According to the travel inspiration site, Valletta is the hottest place in Europe with an average daily temperature of 22.3°C. Coming in at a close second and third are Athens and Rome with annual average temperatures of 22°C and 21.4°C respectively. ‌ Valletta is Malta's capital city easily recognisable by its Baroque architecture and fortified walls which rise up against a Mediterranean backdrop. Valletta's walls are jam-packed with history, fine restaurants and cultural spaces that can be explored in the sun all year round. ‌ In fact, Valletta enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year so travellers can pack T-shirts and shorts no matter when they visit. Given that the capital is only a three-hour flight from the UK, it makes for a convenient escape for rainy and harsh British winters. The city was built by the famous Knights of St. John - also known as the Knights Hospitaller - who arrived in the country around 1530. While there, the Knights developed numerous palaces and churches, considered some of the finest works of architecture in the region today. While the grid-plan of the city was built in defensive military style, it is also undeniably impressive and features an ornate baroque style. Today, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of its most remarkable landmarks is the St. John's Co-Cathedral. The cathedral is adorned with beautiful frescoes and barrel-vaulted ceilings and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Built in the 1570s, it is perhaps one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe and the most visited church in all of Malta. Another must-visit landmark is MUZA - Maltese for 'inspiration' - which is the National Museum of Art. It forms part of Heritage Malta, the National Agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. ‌ In 2025,the President of Malta informed Heritage Malta that she would be granting her patronage to the second edition of the Malta Biennale - to be held in 2026. The Biennale will run from March 11 to May 29, 2026. The Malta Biennale will once again take place in museums and historical sites managed by Heritage Malta, across Valletta, Birgu, Xagħra and Ċittadella in Gozo. Currently, there is an international open call for artist participation in the upcoming edition, with proposals pouring in from all over the world and already topping 100 in number. The Biennale is just one of the many Valletta events to look forward to. The Baroque Music Festival in January and the February carnival, are also big draws for the city. Additionally, there is an opera week in spring and on the banks of the Grand Harbour is a summer Jazz festival each year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store