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Heriot-Watt Design for Textiles student Jane Fleming joined the Queen for her steam-train trip on the newly opened Borders Railway, and indeed contributed to the scenery along the way.
Jane was chosen from among a group of fellow students to design an art installation for Borders Railway at the Galashiels Transport Interchange, and then was asked to design individual posters to be displayed at each of the nine stations along the newly opened route.
The posters were to be based on the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly novels. Jane said that, as someone who loved trains and travel, she took her inspiration from vintage travel posters and local views, as well as the novels themselves.
As a contributor, Jane, along with her mother, was invited to join the steam train on which the Queen travelled. She did not get to meet the Queen, but said they had a lovely trip, and that she particularly enjoyed seeing the number of people celebrating with picnics in the fields along their route.
Head of the School of Textiles and design Fiona Waldron said, “We are delighted that our students were able to make a contribution to this new rail line, which will itself make a great difference to the lives of our students and staff, giving direct access to Edinburgh city centre in 50 minutes.