Join us and find out how tourism in Scotland was transformed by the birth of the railways during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).

Drawing on Scotland’s national archives, the exhibition transports visitors to the steam era. The exhibition charts the development of the railway from the days before the first passenger railway in the early 19th century, to the rise of the motor car over a century later.

For the first time, everyone could travel: from a day trip to the seaside to extravagant Highland holidays. Discover how cheap fares and posters advertising Scotland’s beauties encouraged a tourism boom. Glimpse a fascinating snapshot of Victorian society and the ways in which different social classes travelled.

The exhibition captures moments which changed Scotland’s history and landscape forever. It demonstrates the benefits of the new method of transport – the faster movement of goods and people – and shows how the new railways triggered concern and fear from the anti-railway lobby. This period saw the birth of some of Scotland’s most famous railway lines including the West Highland Line.

This exhibition is part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.