Travel advice for major events

Last updated: Monday, 4 September 2023

This year is set to be massive year for major events across Scotland, with plenty of events to look forward to across the country.

Here we'll pick out some of the very top events on the horizon, with tips on reaching them by train.

Our top tips for travelling to events:

  • Buy your ticket before you board. You’ll need a valid ticket for travel, and checks will be in place at many stations
  • Check your train times. Remember to leave time to catch any connecting services that you need
  • Listen up! We’ll have extra staff on the ground to help things go smoothly. To help them help you, please listen to their instructions
  • Download the ScotRail app. You can use it to buy tickets, check train times, and see live service information
  • Don’t leave it too late. Services will be busy, and you might not be able to board your first choice of train​

Click on the drop downs below to see our travel advice for each event.

We're looking forward to helping you travel to the Largs Viking Festival to experience life in a 13th Century Norse-Gael village.

To support the festival, we're adding more trains between Glasgow Central and Largs throughout the day on Saturday, 2 September and Sunday, 3 September, and between Glasgow Central and Ayr on Saturday, 9 September and Sunday, 10 September

Please be aware that services along the route are expected to be much busier than normal.

Queuing systems are likely to be in place at key stations along the route, so please allow extra time for your journey.

Buying return tickets in advance via the mTicket system on the ScotRail app will help your day run smoothly and reduce your need to queue. Our mTickets system means you can buy tickets from the comfort of your home, or on the way to the station, and it will instantly become available on your mobile device.

We'll have extra staff on hand to assist you, and remember, the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.

More information on the Largs Viking Festival is available online at largsvikingfestival.co.uk

With a host of great family entertainment, we’re looking forward to playing our part in making the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight a successful and enjoyable weekend.

The action-packed festival takes place from Friday, 8 September, until Sunday, 10 September, at Ayr Shorefront, with iconic aircraft and daring aerial displays taking place on Saturday, 9 September.

To help the event run smoothly, we’re adding more seats to trains to and from Ayr on Saturday and Sunday, but services will be busier than normal, so please plan ahead and leave plenty of time for travel.

Services along the route are expected to be much busier than normal with the Largs Viking Festival also underway.

Stagecoach West Scotland, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, will operate a park and ride shuttle bus service, leaving every 15 minutes between Burns Statute Square at Ayr station and Seafield Road.

Queuing systems are likely at key stations, so please to allow extra time for your journey.

Buying return tickets in advance via the mTicket system on the ScotRail app will help your day run smoothly and reduce your need to queue. Our mTickets system means you can buy tickets from the comfort of your home, or on the way to the station, and it will instantly become available on your mobile device.

We'll have extra staff on hand to assist, and remember, the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.