Almost 4 Hours on a Bus! My Epic Journey on Borders Buses X95 from Carlisle to Edinburgh

It started off badly! I went to the wrong bus station! After that (and a Cornish Pasty) I managed to find the right stop and eventually the bus turned up.
Come with me on this, my longest 'normal' bus journey to date from Carlisle all the way to Edinburgh. The scenery was beautiful as we travelled North through the Scottish Border country. I'll show the inside of the bus, the facilities on board, some beautiful views from the window and I'll tell you how much it cost.
Was it worth it? As always, I'll give you my verdict at the end.
Thanks as always guys for taking the time to watch my videos. All likes, comments, subs are massively appreciated and it really encourages me to make more content for you all to enjoy.
Cheers for now.
Mark
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#letsmakeatrip #bustravel #scotland #bordersbuses
Picture Credits:
Borders Railway Map: PEchristener (no changes made), commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Route map: OpenStreetMap (annotated)
www.openstreetmap.org/
📖Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:25 - Carlisle to Hawick
07:05 - Why no Trains?
07:43 - Hawick to Galashiels
09:48 - Galashiels to Edinburgh
14:43 - Summary

[@andydeakin7914]

Nice one Mark, I just love your presentation style, so warm and friendly, keep up the great work, these are really fascinating trips you take us on.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Andy, appreciate the kind words. I guess I haven’t had a really bad trip for a while now 😂

[@steve-marsh]

Zigzagging your way up the country! Looking forward to this :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, this does give me the confidence to try a JOGLE on just buses as it covers off a significant section on just one bus. I might start planning it out for next year 🤔

[@ascottishheart999]

You should do the trip to Hawick Steve.

[@kiwihib]

Three hours forty-five, that was time to our first refreshment stop on my trip last month from Wellington to Auckland, eleven and a half hours.

[@ICanPlayPiano]

Reminds me of the line from the first 'On The Buses' full length; 'I've been three hours on this bus and I only wanted to go to Tesco's'

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, yep. I ended up in Costa, but I’m sure I could’ve gone to one in Carlisle 😂

[@ICanPlayPiano]

yes, I know what Morrissey meant by 'there's panic on the streets of Carlisle'

[@stevie8763]

The stop you got on at was near the railway station. The next stop you mentioned was at the market hall, not the railway station, although it has similar roof.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers 👍

[@scottgalby7557]

You can see why the railway needs to be extended from Tweedbank to Carlisle. Welcome to the land that time forgot. I'm originally from Galashiels.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, cheers Scott, I don’t mind these out of the way places tbh, quite happily live in one (well, until I need to get anywhere quickly I guess!). But yep, it was tempting to get on the train at Gala tbh!

The Waverly Line did run from Edinburgh to Carlisle but the infamous Dr Beeching, Ernest Marples' pal, put an end to it. IMHO vandalism.

[@JackSullivan101]

Do the 700 from Portsmouth to Brighton. That’s even longer although it involves 2 changes at Chichester and Littlehampton.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Some nice routes on the south coast Jack. I must get down there next year 👍

[@progster999]

I did this back in November last year, just out of the hospital after covid and angina. The bus driver also suggested a stay in a local mental hospital instead of the four hours. But I guess he was joking. A great tour and I will repeat it later this year or early next year. It is on my regular list of Scottish bus journeys. I would suggest jumping of at Galashiels and go up Tweed Valley to Edinburgh that way. Galashiels is great and worthy visit. Quirky place..... OK.... I am a Marillion fan but did not know that about Galashiels despite of regular visits. I would recommend this tour.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I can tell by your name you’re a Marillion fan 😉 Yep, really enjoyed the area- lovely scenery and agree about the towns. The day ranger is only 5p more apparently so I would try that next time and stop-off at some of the places en route. Cheers for the comment 😊👍

[@progster999]

Next time, jump off at Galashiels and go to Peebles on a far better coach (two every hour) for an hour's stop. One of the prettiest villages in the UK. Jump on again for the bus over the scenic moor to Edinburgh. Just before Edinburgh, you get confronted, full-on, by Arthur Seat. You then want to climb it. @@LetsMakeaTrip

[@arw22]

Good trip, done it myself but with a 1hr comfort/refreshment break in Hawick which makes it much more bearable. Frequency increases to hourly north of Hawick and a 24hr Borders Buses rover is £10.15, so only slightly more than a single - worth it to be able to break the journey (either planned, or impromptu due to toilet needs!) Borders railway from Gala is also worth a trip, scenic and cuts out the crawl along Edinburgh's suburban roads.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep if I wasn’t doing this ‘challenge’ I’d have definitely paid the extra 5p and broken up the journey. Hawick looked nice, as did Galashiels. Hopefully I’ll do it again one day but use the Borders Railway too. 😊👍

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Having reached that age where one cup of coffee in equals two out I have to admire your bravery in taking a bus with no loo on board, can't even consider doing that myself. Loved the trip nice scenery and your excellent narration making it even better. Till next time take care and stay safe, cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon, yes that’s a good way of putting it. Normally the same for me but pints instead of coffee - two is enough, so I have to pitstop in another pub halfway home! Old age mate!

[@TravelSignal]

Mate. Certainly taking one for the team! Hope your bladder is recovered! And it's definitely an advert for reopening the rest of the line down to Carlisle.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah yes, no problem! I was mentally and physically prepared for this one (nipped to the loo in Carlisle station!). 👍

[@Timstravels01]

Another very enjoyable, relaxing watch. I love how down to earth your approach is.

[@fenlinescouser4105]

As someone old enough to have experienced the Crosville Liverpool Pier Head to London Victoria overnight "express" service (via Cheltenham/Statford upon Avon) in Bristol MW "comfort" and routed to avoid any small section of dual carriageway available at the time, I pooh-pooh your 4hr sprint. You young people have never had it so good. The only dependable feature back then was that you would arrive sleep deprived. starving, stiff and with a sore Arsenal. 😒

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, I remember Crosville in Shrewsbury. Rough-looking old green things used to rock-up at the country bus stops in contrast to the red Midland Red’s elsewhere. Then we had Hotspur and now we have a somewhat depleted service all round. I’m not sure I’d handle that trip to London well tbh - prefer the relative comfort of a Megabus these days. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@fenlinescouser4105]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I looked up the history of Crosville on Wiki and was surprised at its origin. Worth a decko! As for Midland Red well as a nipper I was always envious of these shiny, sleek beauties (never rldden) compared to my travels on the beat-up Ludlow Town Service (Corvedale).

[@jackcrawford3921]

You need to try some of the Arriva DalesBus routes. I haven't tried it but it starts off at Wakefield, and goes as far as Buckden, Grassington and Hawes!

[@fatwalletboy2]

Strange concrete monstrosity of a walkway at 11.47.........certainly unexpected.

[@stephencostin2616]

Used to love travelling on this bus route in the 80’s when Eastern Scottish had it.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Stephen, I guess the buses have changed a bit but the scenery is still fantastic 😊👍

[@stephencostin2616]

@@LetsMakeaTrip back in the day they were more like coaches, not like the bus you travelled on. My favourite bus route in that area was Dumfries to Edinburgh via Moffat on the A701.

[@richardmurphy4520]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes Mark they used the ol' " yellow n blacks ," back then. Volvo coaches fitted with Bristol RE engines, which were as quiet as a mouse on motorways. Most of them were " N " Reg ( 1974/5) plates, and before right back to 1969/70. The Western Scottish " white n blacks" were based at Nursery Avenue Kilmarnock, and they did the day and overnight trips from Glasgow to London. Typically left Glasgow at 10pm arriving at Victoria around 6am. ( As no snarl ups at Spag junction Brum on the night service.). The day service was less reliable, and I often found myself sitting with 50 others on the grassy elevation at the hard shoulder 30 to 40 miles south of Charnock Richard on the M6, for 2 or 3 hours, till the ahead accident or snarl up has been cleared by the old bill. Very happy days.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Richard, conjured up some great images in my mind reading this 😊

[@richardmurphy4520]

@@LetsMakeaTrip p.s. Around 1980 the Western Scottish SMT black n whites had their livery changed to blue n whites. In tandem with this a few of their old Volvo coaches with the Bristol engines were retired / sold on or scrapped, in favour of some new Seddon Atkinson coaches. ( which were then painted in the new blue & white SMT livery) Like the older rolling stock they had the toilet in the back for the Glasgow To London trips. These did not have the old Bristol engines retro fitted, opting for new Volvo supplied ones. Their Edinburgh To London coaches were also revamped, but retained the old yellow n black livery. By this point 1982/83 Western SMT Scottish had big competition in the form of Cotters Coach Tours, ( which dropped at Kings Cross) not Victoria, plus Stagecoach ( Brian Soutar) coach day & night service to London Glasgow & Edinburgh. This brought a one way trip either way down to around £7 or £8 pounds if booked in advance.

[@thelancashireorganist]

I do like how you show your route on a map.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers 😊

[@JackSullivan101]

They should put a double decker on that route, seeing that it’s really long and had lots of passengers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That would’ve been great. Not sure if Borders Buses have any or not though tbh.

[@stuartnicholson1478]

I've just looked at the timetable after another comment. Borders Buses have just recast the timetable and most workings now run through to Edinburgh again except the last of the day, although the last back from EDI to Carlisle is now at the amazingly early time of 1415. Almost all workings are now 34 minutes earlier than they were leaving Carlisle at 11 minutes past the even hours from 0811.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting, not much good if you want to go to Edinburgh from Hawick on a day trip though. I’m assuming buses from Gala run later so you still need a bus then a train to come back!

[@killerqueen9298]

You're a braver man than me Mark. I can't remember the last time I was on bus. Our one buis week on a Saturday was discontinued many years ago. Great video, thanks🙂🙃

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, thanks for the comment. Some of these buses now (I’ve found) are much better than they used to be. Certainly changed some of my preconceptions I must say. Recommended 😊👍

[@emankcin1701]

So you're both man and a queen eh 😊 well its not inexplicable anymore, good for you. Other than that, good video as usual.

[@JFinney]

Another route for the bucket list!

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks Mark that looks like a brilliant bus trip 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers James, yep, all-in-all a decent trip though I’m not sure I’d want to do it both ways in a day!

[@shaneah14]

A local bus for local people, theres no journey for you hereeeee

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’m sure I saw Tubbs at one point!

[@shaneah14]

@@LetsMakeaTrip 🤣🤣

[@PeterHales-pq1kc]

What about the falcon bristol to Plymouth also Galashiels largest town in Scottish Borders council area 😊

[@elegantinfusions]

New motorbike route for when I tour in Scotland

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh I would definitely recommend it for bikes yes. Lovely area 👍

[@enricomonti156]

These are the types of local buses I love. Great trip. Might have to try it myself

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep a tidy bus - local being the right word. Almost 4 hours on it is the exception to the rule I reckon but you know ‘challenge accepted’ and all that😊👍

[@robertalan3214]

Your videos are great Mark, I have done a few of your journeys, thanks and keep them coming 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Robert, glad you enjoy them and have done some. It’s nice to know I’m not alone! 😊👍

[@mikedown1250]

LOL Carlisle!! great intro. Thanks for the upload. keep up the good work

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mike, thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yeah, I'm seeing advance Carlisle to Edinburgh rail tickets for £11 and that's without my railcard discount, so the bus certainly isn't a good shout for the whole journey. I suppose my question is that all the other runs stop at Galashiels, why does your service go on to Edinburgh? There must be a reason. As you say, Galashiels has a half-hourly train service to Edinburgh, so I'm genuinely fascinated by why the service is there at all. Oh, and whilst you mentioned Opal Fruits maybe you should have bought a Marathon to go with them 😉

[@stuartnicholson1478]

All buses used to go through to Edinburgh, basically because this route is essentially a long term rail replacement for the Waverley rail line. When the Borders line reopened to Galashiels the bus service on most journeys was divided into two at Gala. It just seems to be operational convenience to run the odd service through.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep when I was looking, it was a specific service I needed (just for the ‘straight-through’ bus) and there was only a couple I think all day. Stuart obviously knows a lot more than me wrt the service and the area and what I would say is he bus was sparsely populated after Hawick, presumably because of the Borders Railway.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Bring back both names I say! And Revels, what happened to them?

[@s125ish]

I think on sundays the buses run through

[@shanewaterman4125]

What about some Spangles...? Ah, memories.....

[@KoffieMoffie]

Enjoyed the video. If you think this journey was epic you should consider a visit to Brazil where they have outstanding vehicles and journeys that last up to 65 hours and more.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I wouldn’t mind doing that Ian one day. Went to Mexico City last year and took the coach over to Acapulco- that was a great coach, cheap too. Thanks for the idea 👍

[@peterskegness3204]

Great video. Did that trip many years ago when it was operated by the erstwhile Lowland Scottish. Very nice scenery and more enjoyable than the alternative rail of National Express. The Borders have some interesting route. I also did Berwick to Edinburgh by way of Duns and connected onto the Carlisle to Edinburgh at Galashiels. Took nearly all day, but great fun 😂 Another fun run is Borders Buses 253 which does Berwick Upon Tweed to Edinburgh - a fascinating but much slower alternative to the train.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Peter, lots of options around that part of the world. Thinking I will do the Berwick - Edinburgh route one day though one of the attractions of Carlisle, Harwich, Galashiels was the absence of a railway. I’ll certainly get as far as Gala again then maybe train it up the Borders Railway 👍

[@busman-gd5ek]

£10.10 is the most I ever seen someone pay for a single on a bus

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Paid more than twice that mind on the Wick - Inverness service👍

[@aliorr3854]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hawick to Selkirk single is £5.50

[@lindaevans9403]

I really enjoy your bus journeys, I even did the witchway Manchester to Burnley after watching you,fantastic scenery Xx

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Brilliant! Glad you found it useful Linda and the Witchway actually remains the best bus I’ve been on so far 👍

[@davidwil58]

Arriva’s X18 from Newcastle to Berwick is just under 4 hours. A scenic route, but I broke my journey on the way up and I would recommend that rather than staying on the same bus.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers David. Yes I’ve been looking at that. Then maybe Berwick to Edinburgh again with Borders Buses. Something I think I’ll consider as part of a JOGLE challenge maybe next year 👍

[@user-ij6ef7we5e]

You should try the Service 51 from Galashiels to Edinburgh. New route starting Monday.

[@AndreiTupolev]

The replacement, if you can call it that, for the much-missed Waverley Route (for which Beeching, however, was not to blame this time)

[@davidoliver1169]

Hi Mark. Loved this and it's made all the better by your infectious humour. Cheers

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers David and thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@jackmaher9296]

Class once again mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Jack 😊👍

[@DriverKing]

What a coincidence! I have just completed the journey from Carlisle to Edinburgh myself when I suddenly stumbled across this! Looks like I got beaten to it 😢 Anyways great video.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it and I hope you had a great trip yourself. 😊👍

[@DriverKing]

@@LetsMakeaTrip no problem, the journey just flew bye in my opinion, if you want to see more scenery in the area, I suggest getting the x95 to Langholm then maybe get a 124 to eskdalemuir, it is very high up over there.

[@michaelstaley2241]

Very good again Mark; you must have plenty of stamina lovely countryside and good weather.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Michael, yep, quite enjoyed it really, some nice scenery to take your mind off needing the loo!

[@stevedeakin1883]

Really enjoyed the video Mark, looks a nice journey 🙂😄.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Steve, it was - some great scenery on offer 👍

[@graybags2001]

Really glad you've done this trip as I'm doing this soon and you've answered a few questions for me too...there is a day ticket you can buy....cheers for the info..loving the channel by the way..keep it up

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks a lot. Yep, I can definitely recommend it if you’re prepared to just sit back, enjoy the scenery and yep, pay an extra 5p to get the day ranger and stop off at some really nice towns along the way. Enjoy 😊👍

[@WVislandia]

I have done parts of this trip. I first took it on my journey to the best folk festival I've ever been to - the Newcastleton Folk Festival in the wee village of Newcastleton. Any journey through Scotland's Borders is going to be full of beautiful scenery. I wouldn't be at all put off by the journey length.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cool, interesting to hear of the folk festival. A cheap way to get to it too 👍

[@WVislandia]

I lived in Edinburgh and so took the X95 from there as far as Hawick. From there I needed to transfer to a local bus that would stop in Newcastleton. If you ever want to go to the folk festival, it usually is the first weekend in July.@@LetsMakeaTrip

[@markcarson8]

At least some of the views looked nice which helps pass the time, keep up the good work Mark, cheers pal

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh definitely Mark - some great scenery. I think the trip overall went fairly quickly. There was always something to see, the weather helped (mostly) and with a ranger ticket you can always break the journey. Cheers 👍😊

[@PaulGodfrey]

Thanks for the review. Long thought of doing the southern section of the route.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul, yep, Carlisle to Galashiels I could handle that again. Then the Borders Railway north 👍

[@colinjohnston21]

Great video Mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Colin 😊👍

[@geoffreyfreitag1276]

Thanks for adding that trip. I often wondered how to cross from south west to the north east of Scotland on one bus. I plan to travel directly up to Scotland stopping off at three places and Carlisle was one place i want to go to. Thanks for that video.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Geoffrey, have a great trip! 😊👍

[@johnridpeath1728]

Very good

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always, great scenery en route. Hope all is well, take care

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed it and I definitely recommend this part of the world (bus or otherwise). Cheers mate 👍😊

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@LetsMakeaTrip you're most welcome, is there a place I can email you or message you via twitter as would like to ask more questions regarding vlogging

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

oh boy that was a trip hope you had some liquid refreshment in Edinburgh!!!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I did, but back in Newcastle 👍

[@aodhantravels123]

Great video, there is a route up here in the North East from Newcastle to Berwick Service X18. This takes about 3 hours and 52 minutes. I have done the Newcastle to Alnwick leg of the journey but I haven’t done the Alnwick to Berwick section which is on my bucket list to do. This route uses double deckers so a lot more space.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sounds good and I reckon as long as you’re prepared to go that long without much of a break, it’s doable. I bet there’s some great coastal views on that one too 👍

[@richardmurphy4520]

Great acoustic guitar music on this trip, like other previous trips. Nice stuff.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Richard, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@sandiandgregh]

Quite the journey! I'm so glad the driver called out the passenger who had his feet up on the seat. I hate when people do that. The "Opal Fruits" comment gave me a smile. My Mum used to have Opal Fruits and Opal Mints with her on every family day out in my childhood. Great memories.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Opal Mints, thanks for the memory, I’d forgotten about them! Such a nice bus really, it does annoy me a bit some people can’t treat them with a bit more respect. Overall though, a decent north run 😊👍

[@timbounds7190]

Yeah....I've visited the Borders quite often in recent years, and the scenery is fantastic there. I've often seen X95s when I've been in the Hawick area, but never been on one! I suppose it'd be a great journey for those blessed with lots of patience and a strong bladder, but I don't have either.......The route followed the A7 which is a seriously weird road - sometimes resembling a single carriageway motorway with major earthworks, then having single lane sections controlled by traffic lights a couple of miles later!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Tim, yep it’s certainly a ‘less-discovered’ part of the world. Plenty of views to take your mind off needing the loo and the bus itself was pretty good. As arw commented, worth paying an extra 5p for the day ranger and breaking the journey for a look around some of the places en route.

[@thegoose4715]

Well done for pronouncing Hawick correct! Now I'll subscribe 😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, ok fair enough!

[@ulfw]

Phenomenal for what it is - a simple local bus. Seats are better than inner city busses, you got tables, wireless charging, WiFi, USB sockets... really not bad!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes totally agree. One of the best local buses I’ve been on, if not the best!

[@blairedwards6025]

Another great report Mark. The things you do for us armchair travellers. You might think about combining the borders railway trip with one on our new Fife extension to Leven. They’ve just finished laying the last section of track and it’s due to open in Spring 2024. Regards Blair.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting, cheers Blair. Tell you what, I needed my own armchair after doing this. Fortunately you’re never far away from a Costa these days 😊👍

[@steady_94]

A great route. I did it during my Capital to Capital bus challenge earlier this year starting from Edinburgh and taking local buses to London for mostly £2 per bus

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. The £2 cap does help with these kind of challenges. Am thinking of one myself but probably not until next year. OK, it’ll be £2.50 then but I’m certainly not complaining. Can do some long journeys for that 👍

[@steady_94]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yeahh indeed. £2.50 is still a bargain with some of those long journeys. During my challenge, I managed Preston to Burnley for a pound on the night fare 😄 I hope that sticks around

[@neilcowie481]

I've done that run before but it was a coach I got was great journey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great scenery, coach would be lovely and comfortable too I’m sure 👍

[@acfbrown1]

I did this a few years ago at the beginning of March from Carlisle when we were stuck in Carlisle due to snow and the trains couldn't run. I've been down the A7 loads of times in the car and the bus has usually looked completely empty between Langholm and Hawick. I like stopping off at both Hawick and Langholm.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’d definitely stop off next time. Some lovely towns en route.

[@Stevenspielburger]

Great video, good hat!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate 😊👍

[@donnymcdiarmid9767]

Just found your channel, great content. Been to Edinburgh from Carlisle many times but never on a bus, brave man 😁.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Donny, yep, I’ve certainly had a lot worse than that though. Have a look at one or two of my coach journeys! 😂

[@baseballfan99]

Great video. This bus is now in my to do list but I agree about just doing the part up to Galashiels or at least having a break there. Looks like you get more leg room than on the First Bus Enviro 200’s and I love the phone charging options. I knew a guy from Hawick when I was at Uni so pronunciation is not an issue unlock certain other Scottish Towns.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I struggle with some of the Scottish place names tbh. I haven’t been corrected on this one yet so I reckon that’s a success 😂 and yes I reckon Carlisle to Gala then train is probably the sensible choice.

[@lincolncityful1]

Really interesting watch thanks, imagine what this journey would have been like in 69 when the railway closed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, yes I think it would’ve been fantastic. Some great scenery around here even if it is a bit off the beaten track 😊👍

[@TheCoopsvids]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Another bonkers journey 😂 Keep em coming. Looked like a nice bus, and good on the driver to chastise the seat wrecker. Think it was a bit much having an X Prefix though, doesn't seem to be much of an express 😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep I reckon in the ‘olden days’ it’d be called a ‘country bus’! It was a challenge, quite enjoyed it really but yep, one I don’t think I’d repeat anytime soon . Plenty of other bonkers journeys to do first! 😂

[@steveloader]

Great Marillion reference! Great videos Mark keep up the good work

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great band, got all their early stuff. Mark Kelly the keyboardist was a great influence on me 👍

[@steveloader]

@@LetsMakeaTrip The first three albums were the soundtrack to my teenage years! Fugazi…What an album!!

[@SomeoneExplores]

Great video! Suprised you didn't get one of the Borderless single tickets (think its app only) for Borders Buses, last I remembered it was £5-odd when I did the opposite direction a couple years back! Plus, it covers you to/from Carlisle!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep someone commented about a day ranger being £10.15 I think and this one you’ve mentioned seems much better than that. Live and learn I guess but overall, yep an interesting route, but I’d be straight on the train at Gala next time 😊👍

[@roypaton5573]

BORDER BUSES IS PART OF WEST COAST MOTORS GROUP

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, cheers Roy 😊👍

[@johnmullin1188]

Lol mark you get yourself in a pickle what no toilet on the bus! I would defoe get the train 🙄next time 👍but you have shown your followers an experience well done all the best onward journey keep your essentials bag full lol c u soon John 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers John, I know I can do 4 hours now without the loo, just gotta be mentally and physically prepared 😊👍

[@sheilam4525]

Mammoth journey, Mark, well done👏. By the way I am with you on the Opal Fruits👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, thanks Sheila. Yep, Opal Fruits and my favourite chocolate bar: Marathon! 👍😉

[@sheilam4525]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yes🤣👍

[@gazza2933]

Mark You're a brave man. Not exactly coach travel but at least the weather looked good.👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep good weather and it was pretty good for what is, for many, a local bus 👍

[@telemachus53]

I wish I could find an orange Twirl in my bag whenever I looked. BTW the Borders Railway is a great example of the reopening of a line that Beeching in his wisdom closed. It's so successful now that in peak hours it's standing room only! With a bit of similar foresight it might just be possible to extend it to Selkirk and Hawick.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh yep, I found a Crunchie in there this morning too! I was getting a bit hungry at that point in the video tbh. I must try the Borders Railway next time. I agree, it’s a great success story others should try to emulate over time. Next time I’m up there I’ll hopefully give it a go 👍

[@walterfillingham]

I just did 4 and half hours on number 10 Aberdeen to Inverness with Stagecoach.. now you must do the longest route in Scotland; Glasgow to Uig on Skye with Scottish Citylink - leave 10.00am arrive 17.45pm!! Service 915. think the service you got used to be run by First Bus, but when they pulled out of the Borders, West Coast Motors took over

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know, I keep saying I’ll do that route but it’s going to have to wait until next year now. Maybe a winter trip once the Calmac winter schedules are out I can tie it in with that 👍

[@progster999]

I am pretty sure you are right about Glasgow to Uig. 7 hours, 45 minutes. Bad roads. Great scenery. I have done it three times and the ferry connections has always let me down. Hence mad improvisations for B & Bs, delays and ending up, wrongly, in Lochmaddy twice and missing the bus in Tarbert one time. Hence, my fingers are forever burnt. Somethng for the Vloggers, in other words.

[@AndreiTupolev]

There's a very funny article about doing just that trip in the 80s in the current Classic Bus magazine (involving having to get out and push at one point)

[@hammock879]

Really good video again, and good to hear a namecheck for my fave band Genesis ! I also liked Marillion too during the Fish era. Are there any direct bus routes between Newcastle and Edinburgh that you know of ?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, I used to listen to Marillion a lot in the early days! I think once you get to Berwick, Borders Buses run a service from there. Otherwise, plenty of coaches between the two cities 👍

[@seancoleman8528]

Looked very scenic, if you have the time and the bladder why not lol😢

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You do need to prepare yourself prior to boarding!

[@calebmumby5803]

They Could've used a double decker bus but I've enjoyed it cheers mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

A double decker would be awesome on this trip mate 👍

[@frglee]

Borders Buses are fairly new to this service, but have nice buses and friendly staff, maybe a bit better than FirstGroup who used to run it. The opening of the half hourly Borders Railway (certainly a very nice train trip) meant that the bus services were cut back a bit, especially the through services, but as you noted there were never too many long distance through passengers even a decade back. I've done this as part of a circular day trip through the Borders and Dumfriesshire a few times, and it's certainly quite pretty in places. Langholm is my favourite little town en-route, but a 2 hour service interval deters a break there. Lots of Scottish bus services use town buses for quite long runs, and they are not always too comfortable, but the leatherette seats on the Borders Buses are nice enough, as are the table seats (not seen those yet!). Much better are the Scottish Citylink long distance coach services, certainly worth a review. You can get from almost any mainland Scottish location to any other in a day by Citylink and bus - and a few of the island ones too.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate and thanks for the additional info - really interesting. I am definitely going to try the Citylink service to Uig - next year all being well and take the ferry after that. Looks an epic trip so, watch this space 😊👍

[@ascottishheart999]

Hi, Good to see you doing my local bus service from Carlise to Edinburgh . I live in Hawick wish I know you was doing it would been nice meet KZbinr for the first time in my life. Easy mistake to make if your not familiar that that first / last stop of X95 is English Street at the courts. Here a bit of information , owed by West Coast Moters- Borders Buses Head office is based in Bewick Upon Tweed .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate and thanks for the extra info! Quite liked Hawick, bus didn’t stop long though - we were in/out before we knew it! I might try the Berwick to Edinburgh one too at some point, Alison sounds like a good route 👍

[@ascottishheart999]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Mate , The Berwick - Edinburgh takes bit of time also think 3 hours but I think if express one still exists with Borders Buses I think it’s about 45 - 50 minutes off the time .

[@stepheng7586]

Great video Mark! I'm very tempted to do the Carlisle to Galashiels section of this route. It's a shame they don't use double deckers on this route.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Double decker would be great. Yes I’d probably do the first half again then train from Galashiels 👍

[@iainjones5002]

It's quite possible that double decker buses may not be suitable on this route due to the rural sections maybe having lots of trees overhanging roadways. It's also possible that the Operator has checked this option and decided single deckers are best suited.

[@briwire138]

I've always thought that express buses should have limited stops. Leave the out of centre stops for local buses.

[@derisleybrittain]

Really enjoyed🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@maxwilson5176]

I did the border bus from Berwick to Edinburgh as part of my last segment of a London to Edinburgh bus trip! Perhaps one of the most scenic bus trips you can do. Beautiful area

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Max, yep I reckon if you want to do a JOGLE on buses only either this route or the Berwick one you mentioned will cover quite some distance on a single bus. I’m thinking of it for next year if I have the time 😊👍

[@littlebigman6957]

​@LetsMakeaTrip, what's a jogle.i drove buses and coaches for many years, and I've never heard of it.

[@maxwilson5176]

​@@LetsMakeaTripYes, mine took 18 to Edinburgh over 3 days! Surprised at the fare, the shorter version from Berwick to Edinburgh was 12.80!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

John O’Groats to Lands End 👍

[@cms9902]

Looking at Borders Railway plans, moves are in place to reopen the line Carlisle. When isn't known.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Would be good but may be a way away 👍

[@alanshelly7068]

Mark you may the bus more than 3 📷 s on the inside of the bus buddy from Alan in Lowestoft buddy and a awesome video buddy 👍 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Alan, thanks as always for leaving a comment 😊👍

[@alanshelly7068]

@LetsMakeaTrip your very welcome buddy

[@karljoachimgoll]

125 stops it says...... 🤣

[@leeallen1407]

Edinburgh one of my favourite cities...I was there with the coach four weeks ago....Driver change i assume is so tachos don't have to used due to the long distance of the service

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Lee, yep I never get tired of Edinburgh, great city! And Newcastle tbf, I’ll be back up there soon I’m sure 😊👍

[@trepicks]

You missed out on the Borderless Single ticket booked on their app: £5.80 any distance including Carlisle, Edinburgh, Berwick, Lothian and Scottish Borders. Next time???

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Yep, someone else mentioned that. Oh well, I’ll definitely do a bit more research on it next time 😊👍

[@markmcniven2625]

I didn't know you could get a bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh. I know there's one from Dumfries to Edinburgh.

[@AndreiTupolev]

That would be a nice trip to make a multi-stage journey with two or three stops, but I'm not sure I'd be up for a full journey in an Enviro 200. Still, at least it's not a Wright StreetLite 😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Pretty close to my limit I think with this one. The scenery kept me going!

[@Thebusguyplayz3]

3 hours and 45 minutes oh god I’ve been on a bus for 3 hours

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was a long time but I enjoyed it on the whole 👍

[@Thebusguyplayz3]

@@LetsMakeaTripyeah bet it was nice

[@jonathanmoss5328]

Wouldn’t have the bladder for this one mate 😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know, it was a bit of a personal challenge for me tbh, I just had to keep my mind off it! 😊👍

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

Good job. Keep in mind where the microphone is located. When you turn your head you are off mic and hard to understand. Overall much improved.

[@SoldierCivilWarYT]

Hello mate! just switched devices since I broke my tablet. I also switched my profile picture too to something cooler but as always i am still pixle0 😅

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh no! Well, good to have you back mate 😊👍

[@garethsmith2250]

Edinburgh Tram next?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Not this time Gareth unfortunately. Next time I’m there though I think I’ll do the extension 👍

[@alaaaltamimi3382]

Is this fitted with a tacho 🤔 because of the distance it goes

[@pixie706]

Pity you didn't pass through Jedborough and Melrose. More inspiring than Galashiel .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve never been Eve tbh but always willing to try new places 👍😊

[@alanbrown3015]

Like the idea of taking a bicycle on a bus. How does it work if wheelchair user or mum with pram gets on? Is it a dedicated cycle space? Any pre booking required? Also well done to driver for reprimanding yob with feet on seat. Yob should have FPN for his disgraceful, lazy behaviour. Bet his living space is a pigsty too!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That was the one question I had, because if anyone had tried to get on with a bike between Carlisle and Hawick, I couldn’t see it working - too many pushchairs in the space. That’s why external bike racks are the way to go (imo). Cheers Alan.

[@MrCobo04]

Been on this bus. Ok Galashiels to Edinburgh when the train had issues (like no power). It was ok i suppose. Although would have expected it to be more a coach than a bus for the distance it travelled.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, something like the Citylink buses you would think would make for a more comfortable ride. Having said that, the only issue for me really was the narrowness of the seat when it was busy. Imagine a double decker on this route though, that would be awesome!

[@PlayWaves1]

No luggage space on this bus? That's a deal breaker.