Supermodel Anna Freemantle was on hand to launch the Borders Railway at Edinburgh's Waverley railway station. She wore clothing provided by Pringle of Scotland, a firm founded in the Borders town of Hawick in 1815.
Actor Fergus John McCann posed as Sir Walter Scott at the launch event at Waverley. Tourism bosses hope that worldwide interest in the renowned writer, who had strong links to the Borders, will draw visitors to the new railway.
Children at all schools in the Borders, including these Primary 7 pupils from Langlee Primary School in Galashiels, took part in a Golden Ticket competition. The winners got the chance to ride on the new railway on Saturday - 24 hours before the line opens to the paying public.
Four new stations were built in Midlothian and three in the Scottish Borders during the construction project. Primary 3 children from St Andrew's Primary School in Gorebridge celebrated the new railway at Newtongrange train station.
The 30 mile line runs between Edinburgh and Tweedbank. Cameron Pate, Galashiels's Braw Lad, was at Tweedbank Station for the launch event.
The Braw Lad was joined by Braw Lass Abbie Franklin at Tweedbank. Edinburgh Zoo's Pandas, Rosslyn Chapel and the scenery of the Scottish Borders are among the images displayed on livery to promote the region.
Train driver Yvonne Reid is one of 64 who have been trained on the new route. A total of 36 drivers and conductors were specially recruited for the new service, from more than 2,200 applicants.
VisitScotland believes the new railway could be a "significant tourism magnet". It hopes to encourage tourists to follow in Sir Walter Scott's footsteps, from the Scott Monument in Edinburgh to his former home at Abbotsford House near Tweedbank.
