Testing the water for a "Northern mini-national"

OO maybe an idea Moomin, trains return would have taken over 8 hours which is beyond me physically

I'm getting the train from Berwick; am I likely to have a problem with that one moomin?

Fraid so Tegan
Earliest train from Berwick on 1st Dec is 11.25, getting to Edinburgh 12.45
http://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable

Bit of a b*gg*er, there are no coaches either.

Perhaps we can all hitch-hike and pretend we're back in the '60s

Heck; need to have a plan, although it's only a short walk from the station and I'd still get the afternoon there. Are there buses to Edinburgh from Berwick?

This is indeed a b*****r. Just as we getting off the ground. It is OK for those who plan to drive - is there any chance of a spot of petrol-sharing or is everyone so far apart that that would not work?

The alternative is to travel on Saturday and stay in a cheap B&B overnight. I'll have a look and see if there are any B&Bs. I could sleep 4 in two rooms if you don't mind sharing double beds. There may be other Scottish GNers who could give you a bed for a night or two.

What are the trains back like on Sunday?

Sorry, moomin!

Try this link Tegan: bit.ly/1eOK1h5 bus from Berwick to Edinburgh

Trains look OK to Newcastle Elegran but not so good I think for Northallerton for YaYa

They look OK to York too.

Who is having problems with transport?

PM me with the location and I will see what www.travelinescotland.com has to say about it. You put in where you are going from and to and what time you want to arrive/leave and they give you alternatives. It might have to be on Saturday but can I put up a few people overnight, other GNers probably spare rooms, and there are stacks of B&Bs in Edinburgh.

Returning is mostly not such a problem.

I have just learnt that staying at the ROSL is only £15 dearer than at the Travelodge, and includes breakfast. Hope that information is useful to someone.

I can't see any problems that weekend on London to Edinburgh Line and I have booked a room in the ROSL for Saturday night so will have no distance to travel!!
I have to get the 17.56 from Waverley though to stand any chance of being reasonably awake for Monday morning!

I have just remembered that the ROSL have a big St Andrews Day dinner on Saturday night, so you people staying there could push the boat out.

It is £40 a head, pre-dinner drink, 3 courses, wine, coffee. At one time they were asking for bookings ahead, but I can't find that now. The phone number is 0131 225 1501.

Moomin - was just looking at the rail times and fares, was aghast at the time it was going to take, and then I logged on to Gransnet to send you and Glass a PM to see what you are intending to do. How many of us are there from the Newcastle area, do you know? I think we will have to look at some alternative transport - I can't go up on the Saturday either, so unless I can sort something out, I am out, I am afraid. It can't be beyond our wit to sort something out.

Groupon 'Getaways' have an offer of flight and hotel from Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or Southend starting at £89. May be worth looking at for those considering coming from the south. Can stay up to 3 nights......

Offer closes in 37 hours and 19 minutes

gillybob and I are booked on the train and will be in Edinburgh from Saturday lunch time and we have booked into the ROSL on Saturday night.

Cant wait

moomin sorry Gillybob and I have booked trains and hotel for the Saturday due to the train problems on the Sunday, we have booked the 18.46 home, as later trains seem to be starting with a bus journey to Berwick first, why not join us and anyone else who would like to?

Elegran - my DH has kindly agreed to drive me, JaneA and, possibly, Moomin up for the meetup on the Sunday morning, so you can definitely count us in now. He says he can find plenty to do wandering around Edinburgh, so I was happy to take him up on the offer.

That is really good news, Gill. I was beginning to despair of seeing people who needed trains to get here.

Send OH to get Christmas presents - that will keep him busy!

gillieB I am pleased you jane and moomin are sorted.

Glass - so am I! I am getting quite excited about the thought of it all.

Me too, looking forward to seeing you all.

CHEAP TRAIN TRAVEL 30th NOVEMBER/1st OCT for all those who are not travelling because of train hassle and expense. BOOK BY 4th OCTOBER

East Coast Trains have pre-booked train bargains if you register with them at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/ and book BY 4th OCTOBER for travel from 8 October to 19 December. Their London-Aberdeen trains stop at Peterborough, Lincoln, Leeds, York, Durham, Newcastle, Berwick-on-Tweed, Edinburgh.

Travelling to Edinburgh on Saturday 30 Nov and returning on 1st December looks like a good price. There are beds available at my house and in Fife for a few people who want to come up on Saturday and return on Sunday.

If you are registered with them, they will send you a link to use with your registered email address, which goes to a page where you can book bargains online. You can search for departure and arrival locations and times. I have copied the results of my York-Edinburgh search to my Facebook page as an example.