ScotRail Strike

A strike on Scotrail should not affect LNER, but check closely what company you are booking with as they sell each other's ticket. Otherwise, you can take the coach (bus): https://www.citylink.co.uk/service900.php

You can book tickets through different companies, but not all companies operate all the stations. LNER does not serve Blantyre, it is served only by ScotRail.

However LNER, Cross Country, and Avanti might get you as far as Motherwell where if the trains are off you could get a taxi.

ScotRail has a webpage for the industrial action. Currently it is showing this Sunday, and there is no service to Blantyre.

Blantyre is on the Argyle Line, so the first column will have 'Larkhall to Milngavie' or 'Motherwell to Dalmuir' as the stations at either end. Double checking the destination, getting off at Motherwell may make sense, however there would be a boundary charge as Motherwell is in North Lanarkshire and Crossbasket Castle (on my to do list) is in South Lanarkshire. However if you book in advance it will be cheaper.

Thank you. So, the routes I'm seeing on LNER are all ScotRail trains from EDB to Motherwell for November 7. I'm seeing a train at 14:26 with a change at Bellshill for a good price.

I also found a nonstop from Edinburgh to Motherwell at 17:11 and it says Facilities: CrossCountry. Is that what I should be booking?

https://www.lner.co.uk/buy-tickets/booking-engine/?onlc=9328&ocrs=EDB&dnlc=9691&dcrs=MTH&vnlc=&vcrs=&nvnlc=&nvcrs=&cacrs=&canlc=&ret=n&nc=n&shoppingCartId=c186dc54-74bc-4c87-a22e-39a053a9c6c5&outmi=11&outh=15&outd=07&outm=11&outy=2021&outda=y&outSearchDate=07-11-2021&retmi=&reth=&retd=&retm=&rety=&retda=y&retSearchDate=&od=Edinburgh&dd=Motherwell&disableSplitTicketing=True&TravelAvoidFlag=false&TravelViaFlag=false&nad=3&nch=1&rc=&rcn=&toc=&mnc=&firstClassTicketsOnly=false&openTicketsOnly=false&pc=Webmain&avoidlt=False&CffIsInbound=False&CffShowFirstClass=False

Yes, if there is a change at least one leg will be via ScotRail. If it is direct to Motherwell from Edinburgh it is likely to be one of the other TOCs.

If you are considering the bus, look for buses to Hamilton. Hamilton is the county town for South Lanarkshire and the the bus station is right next to the railway station and there is a standing taxi rank right by it. It is called Hamilton Interchange, and there are many long distance routes that run through it.

Furthermore there will not be a boundary change from Hamilton as the journey is entirely in South Lanarkshire.

Thank you MC! Is the bus all Scottish Citylink? Nothing is coming up when I put in Hamilton as the destination.

It should be, but getting no results here either, despite having used that route myself. You may need to change in Glasgow. Is the journey single or return?

These are the services that serve Hamilton, the ones you'd be looking at are the National Express and Stagecoach X74. Both these would come from Glasgow Buchanan Street bus station and you'd need to change.

It’s a one way journey mid-day Sunday, 7 November.

Thank you!

The problem is it is a Sunday, and public transport around here is never brilliant on a Sunday anyway with out the ScotRail strike.

I note Hastie Cars is recommended and they can be booked £40 for an Edinburgh run, The other local one is Wellman. Wellman is the taxi company I use if I need a taxi and their prices will be similar. It may be worth dropping them a line to get a quote. At least with a taxi the stress will not be there.

Thank you so much MC! Welcome Pickups was 165 euro. I will try the two companies you suggested.

I really appreciate it!

I hope that your daughter and her friends know just how much work you are doing for them. They give you complicated things to figure out and you find a way.

Thanks Nigel! This COP26 conference falls just after Fall Break. Covid has made things uncertain and more complicated, hence the last minute planning.

Now, if we can only find a way to get her Fall Break Eurail last leg booked, I am finished and can go back to my own business 😊

Do you know where she will be working? Most of the events will be at the SECC which is served by 'Exhibition Centre' railway station, there are direct trains from the two nearest stations, Blantyre and Newton. Blantyre is closest, a 45 min walk, you may want to walk the journey on GSV.

For info, the strike has been called off following negotiations.

Yay! That’s awesome! Thank you for the update.