A competition has been launched by Transport Scotland at the Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels to help mark the opening of the new Borders Railway.

It will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels.

For the competition, students are being asked to design and create a piece of public artwork, with the winning student having their commissioned work displayed on the Borders Railway which, when opened, will be viewed by hundreds of people every day.

Announcing the competition, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "We are now well on the way to opening the Borders Railway and I know that anticipation is really building for the new opportunities this will open up for the communities it will serve.

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"The project is helping to build an exciting future for Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, as well as new opportunities for Edinburgh. But these are also areas with a rich and vibrant history, as is evidenced by the upcoming anniversary of the Waverley novels, and we wanted to recognise that heritage.

"It is also hugely important that we ensure the communities along the route play a central role in the celebrations. With a wealth of talented artists right on the doorstep of the project, it seemed only right that we give them the opportunity to become involved and create something that will decorate the railway, paying tribute to the past but looking forward to the future."

The artwork will be unveiled at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, in October and will be stored there until it goes on display at a station – or a number of stations – on the new railway line. The route is expected to open in 2015.

(JP/IT)