Category: News

Edinburgh Bus Tours achieves five-star status

Edinburgh Bus Tours has been awarded five-star accreditation under the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions’ (ASVA) new quality assurance scheme.

ASVA’s assessment process evaluates visitor attractions across Scotland, reviewing every stage of the customer experience from pre-arrival to departure, with a strong focus on the quality of customer service delivered throughout. This accreditation reflects the consistently high standards upheld by the Edinburgh Bus Tours team and their commitment to providing an exceptional experience for visitors to the city.

Michael Golding, CEO of ASVA said: “Edinburgh Bus Tours is one of the first attractions to achieve five star status in Scotland’s Quality Scheme, showing their commitment to delivering outstanding experiences. People are what make the attractions sector so special, and it is important to highlight that their guides and drivers achieved top marks during our visit.

“We celebrate the excellence demonstrated this year and look forward to working together closely to continually improve the world class experiences for visitors from around the world in the future.”

The award-winning Tours team impressed with their professional appearance, efficient service and strong product knowledge, alongside the exceptional way they engage with customers including the many visitors experiencing Edinburgh for the first time.

Willie Hamilton, Operations Director for Edinburgh Bus Tours said: “We are absolutely delighted that our Edinburgh Bus Tours operation has been awarded five stars by ASVA.

“Our team work tirelessly to deliver an exceptional experience for all of our customers and we take great pride in the role they play in showcasing Edinburgh to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the city each year.

“This accreditation highlights the dedication and passion of our team and the high standards they set on a daily basis.”

Edinburgh Bus Tours scored highly for the overall tour experience, including the quality and clarity of tour content, as well as the cleanliness, presentation and accessibility of its open-top fleet.

Lothian celebrates double success at UK Bus Awards

Lothian won two awards at the UK Bus Awards, including being named ‘Top City Operator’ at a ceremony in London yesterday (Tuesday 25 November).

Our strong performance over the past 12 months was recognised by a panel of industry experts, who choose our entry as the winner from a number of other operators who deliver bus services in each city across the UK.

Lothian’s Martin Haldane, Depot Engineer at our Central Garage, was named ‘Engineer of the Year’, beating off competition from across the UK. The judges noted Martin’s leadership of his team and their fantastic results in the last year, as well as his guidance of our apprentice engineers.

Picture of Martin Haldane, Engineer of the Year
Lothian’s Martin Haldane with his Engineer of the Year Award at the UK Bus Awards

Sarah Boyd, Chief Executive, Lothian said: “We are thrilled to be recognised as Top City Operator at the UK Bus Awards. This recognition from our industry peers is a testament to the incredible effort of our people across the business, who work tirelessly to deliver for our customers and the city of Edinburgh.

“I am also delighted to see Martin’s hard work, dedication and passion acknowledged with the Engineer of the Year award. His technical ability combined with his commitment to Lothian is exceptional and this accolade is very well deserved.”

Pick up your Lothian Merchandise for less with our Christmas Shopping Day!

Why not pick up some of our latest merchandise for the Lothian fan in your life this Christmas?

For one day only, we are hosting a special Christmas Shopping Day at our retail TravelHubs on Shandwick Place and Waverley Bridge.

For one day only, shoppers can enjoy 20% off all our merchandise on Monday 1 December. Find the ideal stocking filler for your loved ones, just in time for Christmas!

Discounted items include our Buster the Bus cuddly toy, our Lothian bobble hat, all our branded mugs as well as our dog bandanas, which means there’s something for all the family this Christmas at Lothian.

You can find all our available merchandise on the Lothian Shop website; however, our 20% discount is exclusively for in-store purchases only.

Our Shandwick TravelHub is open to customers from 09:00-17:30 hrs and our Waverley Bridge TravelHub opens from 08:30-17:30 hrs.

These incredible savings are only available on Monday 1 December so make sure you pop up and grab yourself a festive bargain with Lothian!

Lothian People Awards 2025

On Friday 14 November, Lothian proudly hosted the Lothian People Awards 2025 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The event was once again hosted by broadcaster and radio presenter Arlene Stuart, returning for her second year as compère.

The evening brought together colleagues from across the business to celebrate the people who make Lothian what it is. The ceremony recognised team members marking 25, 30 and 35+ years of dedicated service in 2024, before honouring the winners of this year’s Lothian People Awards.

It was a fantastic celebration of commitment, teamwork and excellence across our business and a reminder of the incredible individuals who keep our services moving every day.

We are delighted to reveal our winners for the Lothian People Awards 2025:

Customer Experience Champion
Raymond Buchanan

Retail Ambassador
Andrew Monaghan

Driving Champion – Lothian Buses
Colin Henry

Driving Champion – East Coast Buses
Liam Mulgrew

Driving Champion – Lothian Country
David Turner

Driving Champion – Edinburgh Bus Tours
John Cairns

Driving Champion – Lothian Motorcoaches
Paul Hodgkinson

Driving Champion – Eve Coaches
Ryan Fletcher

Engineer of the Year
Kenny Graham

Young Apprentice
Adam Bradley

Mature Apprentice
Dylan Thomson

Extra Mile
Konrad Strzalkowski
Craig Swan

Lothian’s Hidden Gem
Graeme Healy

Rising Star
Karen Keith

Manager of the Year
Nicola Wylie

Team of the Year
Seafield Garage

Outstanding Contribution
Janet Robertson

Massive congratulations go to all our long service colleagues, nominees and winners on the evening. Here’s to the Lothian People Awards 2026!

Travel on Lothian’s Service 98 to Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet!

From Saturday 29 November, our special Service 98 will operate on weekends only for the Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet exhibitions at the Royal Highland Centre, operating until Sunday 28 December.

Although the exhibitions run daily (except Mondays) and can also be reached via Airlink 100 or Service 17 and Service 18, our dedicated weekend shuttle which stops right at the venue entrance offers a convenient way for art lovers to reach these stunning immersive experiences celebrating two of history’s greatest artists.

Service 98 serves George Street (Assembly Rooms), Shandwick Place (SD), Haymarket (HH) then all Service 31 stops along the A8 through Roseburn, Murrayfield, Corstorphine, Drumbrae, and Maybury.

Service 98 from George Street Arrival time at Royal Highland Centre Session Slot Service 98 from Royal Highland Centre
09:15 09:50 10:00 - 11:00 11:10
10:15 10:50 11:00 - 12:00 12:10
10:45 11:20 11:30 - 12:30 12:40
11:45 12:20 12:30 - 13:30 13:40
12:45 13:20 13:30 - 14:30 14:40
13:15 13:50 14:00 - 15:00 15:10
14:15 14:50 15:00 - 16:00 16:10
15:15 15:50 16:00 - 17:00 17:10
15:45 16:20 16:30 - 17:30 17:40
16:45 17:20 17:30 - 18:30 Use Airlink

Tickets for Service 98 can be purchased on-bus via contactless or through our Bus & Tram app.

Ticket type Price
Adult (Single) £6.00
Adult (Return) £8.50
Network Day Ticket* £12.50

*Network Day Ticket provides unlimited travel on day and NightBus services across our entire network.

Under 22s, over 60s and disabled customers can travel for FREE provided they hold a valid Young Scot NEC/Scottish NEC. Ridacards are also accepted on Service 98.

Please note that only the above tickets/products are valid on the Service 98 – no other tickets will be accepted for travel on this service.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience have toured the world to incredible acclaim. Now, for the first time in Edinburgh, both exhibitions arrive – transforming The Royal Highland Centre into a breath-taking celebration of light, colour, and sound.

Journey through more than 300 of Van Gogh’s most celebrated works – including The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Café Terrace at Night. Or, immerse yourself in Monet’s dreamlike artistry, with masterpieces like Water Lilies, Impression, Sunrise, and Woman with a Parasol surrounding you in a dynamic display that moves, shifts, and comes alive.

Learn more and book tickets

Change to Airlink city centre terminus

From 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, the city centre terminus for Airlink 100 will move from Waverley Bridge to George Street.

Due to the installation of this year’s Christmas markets and various winter attractions, Airlink 100 will depart from/arrive at George Street (east bound, opposite The Dome – Stop GL) from Saturday 15 November. There will be no change to timetables.

For tickets and fares information, please visit Airlink 100.

Lothian to mark Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Sunday (Sunday 9 November) and Armistice Day (Tuesday 11 November), our services will pause where safe to do so for two minutes at 11:00 to allow colleagues and customers to pay tribute to all lives lost in the world wars and subsequent conflicts since then.

On Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, colleagues who have military backgrounds are invited to wear their veterans’ ties as a mark of respect.

Road closures may be in effect in some locations across our network to allow various Remembrance Services to take place, so we recommend checking our Service Updates page before travelling.

Lothian named Best In-House Marketing Team of the Year

Lothian has been awarded ‘Best In-House Marketing Team of the Year’ at this year’s Prolific North Marketing Awards.

Held in Leeds on Thursday 24 October, the annual awards celebrate the best creative talent, campaigns, and agencies shaping the marketing landscape in Scotland and Northern England.

The bus operator’s marketing team design and deliver campaigns that promote Lothian as the gold standard for reliable, affordable and accessible public transport. There was tough competition in the category with 9 other shortlisted nominees including The Beatles Story and Forbes Solicitors.

The awards were judged by an independent panel of senior leaders from some of the biggest brands, agencies, and organisations in the UK. This year’s panel included representatives from Formula 1, Kellanova (formerly Kellogg’s) and ITV Studios.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the team have been recognised in their field for their talent, creativity and dedication.  Every campaign we write, design and deliver aims to promote our products and services, and shine a light on the vital role that Lothian plays in our community.”

Get your career in gear at our Try a Bus Day!

Ever considered a career as a tour bus driver or coach driver but didn’t know where to start? Come to our Try a Bus Day and find out if you like the view from behind the wheel!

Our event takes place on Saturday 8 November at Lothian’s Longstone Garage with two sessions available – one in the morning between 10:00 – 12:00, and an afternoon session from 12:00 – 14:00.

On the day you’ll get the chance to:

  • Get behind the wheel of a bus (accompanied by one of our trainers) to see what it’s like to drive for yourself!
  • Meet members of our team who can talk you through our recruitment process.
  • Take the first steps in your new career as a tour bus driver or coach driver!

Our teams at Edinburgh Bus Tours, Lothian Motorcoaches, and Eve Coaches deliver exceptional travel experiences across Scotland and beyond.

From five-star open-top tours showcasing the best of Edinburgh to luxury coach journeys connecting with customers nationwide, our drivers and staff take pride in offering first-class service and unforgettable journeys.

Find out more about a career at Edinburgh Bus Tours, Lothian Motorcoaches and Eve Coaches!

Sign up for Try a Bus Day

Fill in your details below on our form, then turn up on the day for your chosen slot and the team will be on hand to talk you through the session.

Name
Which role are you interested in applying for?

Please note you must be 18 years of age or older to attend our Try a Bus Day and get behind the wheel of one of our vehicles.

If you are unable to attend on the day, please still get in touch if you have any questions about a driving role or the recruitment process via [email protected]. You can also view all current vacancies on our careers page.

Travel by bus to the Quilter Nations Series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield

The Quilter Nations Series begins on Saturday 1 November, promising four weekends of intense rivalries and unforgettable moments – and Lothian Buses will be standing by to take you to all the action on home soil.

With direct links to the stadium from the city’s Ingliston Park and Ride, and connections from Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh airport and West Lothian, we’ve got your travel covered. Check out our top match day tips below:

  • Turn up early to experience the full match day experience. The West Fan Village opens 3 hours before kick off (check scottishrugby.org for opening times before each game)
  • Please note that there are no bag drop facilities at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and an A4 bag policy is in action.
  • Remember to charge your phone to use the official Bus & Tram App as well as the Scottish Rugby Ticketing app.

Check out the fixture listings below for timetable information, ticketing and fares.

Service information

Get your match tickets while they last!

Scotland v USA 
Saturday 1 November
Kick-off 17:40

Ingliston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield

  • Service X12 to Murrayfield Road. Departures from 14:25 and then every 15 minutes until 16:55. Following the match, there will be frequent departures from Murrayfield Road for up to an hour.

Hermiston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium:

  • Service 25 to Gorgie Road (10-minute walk to the stadium) up to every 12 minutes.

From the city centre, the follow services are available:

From Edinburgh Airport:

From West Lothian:

Scotland v New Zealand
Saturday 8 November
Kick-off 15:10

Ingliston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield

  • Service X12 to Murrayfield Road. Departures from 12:10 and then every 15 minutes until 14:25. Following the match, there will be frequent departures from Murrayfield Road for up to an hour.

Hermiston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium:

  • Service 25 to Gorgie Road (10-minute walk to the stadium) up to every 12 minutes.

From the city centre, the follow services are available:

From Edinburgh Airport:

From West Lothian:

Scotland v Argentina
Sunday 16 November
Kick-off 15:10

Ingliston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield

  • Service X12 to Murrayfield Road. Departures from 12:10 and then every 15 minutes until 14:25. Following the match, there will be frequent departures from Murrayfield Road for up to an hour.

Hermiston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium:

  • Service 25 to Gorgie Road (10-minute walk to the stadium) up to every 12 minutes.

From the city centre, the follow services are available:

From Edinburgh Airport:

From West Lothian:

Scotland v Tonga
Sunday 23 November
Kick-off 13:40

Ingliston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield

  • Service X12 to Murrayfield Road. Departures from 10:40 and then every 15 minutes until 12:55. Following the match, there will be frequent departures from Murrayfield Road for up to an hour.

Hermiston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium:

  • Service 25 to Gorgie Road (10-minute walk to the stadium) up to every 12 minutes.

From the city centre, the follow services are available:

From Edinburgh Airport:

From West Lothian:

Additional information

Contactless
With contactless payments accepted on all our services, it’s never been easier to plan a journey to Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, and with our daily/weekly capping model, so you’ll never pay more than you need to for your travel! 

If you’re travelling with others, you can also use contactless to purchase paper tickets. Read our contactless and TapTapCap FAQs. 

Buy tickets in advance on our Bus & Tram App
With the Bus & Tram App, you can plan your travel, track buses and purchase tickets for the entire Lothian and Edinburgh Trams network all in one place thanks to secure, integrated ticketing.

Download the app today to get started. 

Cash
Cash fares are accepted on all our services. Please be aware that the exact fare is needed when paying with cash on our buses because our drivers cannot give change.

Concessionary travel
Under 22s, over 60s and disabled customers can travel for FREE provided they hold a valid Young Scot NEC/Scottish NEC.

Buses will be subject to diversions in the Murrayfield area after the match. Diversion information is available on our Service Updates page.

Diversions may also be put in place at short notice before the match if deemed necessary by the authorities. Please check the Service Updates page before travelling.

Download our mobile app to help plan your travel to the game (or back into town for post-match celebrations, fingers crossed!). View service alerts, track buses and more, all from your smartphone.

For security reasons supporters are urged where possible not to bring bags to Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Bags larger than A4 size (21cm x 15cm) will not be permitted unless required for medical or childcare reasons. All bags no matter the size will be searched before entry to the stadium. Patrons are encouraged where possible not to bring bags as the process of searching slows progress through turnstiles.

For more information about match day, visit the Scottish Rugby website.