Flying Scotsman on track for annual Scottish visits

The Flying Scotsman locomotive hauls the Cathedrals Express excursion over the Forth Bridge today. Picture: SWNS

The Flying Scotsman returned for a second year of Scottish excursions today with a pledge from organisers to make them annual events, The Scotsman has learned.

The 94-year-old express locomotive, reputedly the world’s most famous, steamed across the Forth Bridge on two trips from Edinburgh.

Nearly 800 passengers were due to be carried on the runs round the Fife Circle, and later up the Forth via Alloa and Stirling.

Organisers Steam Dreams said the excursions had been as popular as last year, when the engine made its first visit north of the Border for 16 years following a £4 million refurbishment.

Chairman Marcus Robertson said things had run far more smoothly today after the 2016 trips were almost cancelled when it was discovered with days to go that track owner Network Rail had not approved the routes.