Steam along the Scottish coast

The forecast was not entirely encouraging for the start of the trip, which was a pity as the first day offered plenty of photographic promise with three steam hauled journeys on the Fife circle (six crossings of the iconic Forth Bridge) with the Flying Scotsman. To see the first I made the trip out to Burntisland where the railway line runs along the seafront all the way to Kinghorn, offering great views as trains curve round the bay.

The timings for the Flying Scotsman are usually held back until the last minute due to past problems with trespassing, but plenty of folk seemed to have picked up on the time for the first run as I made my way through the Links. A few photographers had gathered on a mound of raised earth while plenty of locals chose other spots in the park to watch the first pass.

Tempting as this view was, I took the small tunnel under the railway line to the beachfront and walked round to the old slipway. The view from the seafront here took in the sweep of the bay at low tide with the backdrop of the Erskine Church and the low hill beyond, the Binn. It would have been great with a spot of sun but you can’t have everything. I was just pleased that a forecast of heavy rain all day was proving wide of the mark.

The moment arrived – the distinctive sound of an approaching steam locomotive in the air before Flying Scotsman appeared, prompting puzzled looks from passers by oblivious to today’s events. A class of schoolkids returning to the beach from an exploration of the rockpools stopped in their tracks while the local beachguards followed the path of the train with their binoculars. It was a pleasure to watch the scene unfold.

The Flying Scotsman passes through Burntisland

Once the train disappeared from view I headed back to the station and returned to North Queensferry in time to see it pass through on its way back to Edinburgh. I tried the next couple of passes from the harbour and the Forth Road Bridge without getting a short worthy of the wait. I do have a much better idea of the options, as well as their pros and cons, so I’ll chalk it up as preparation for the next time.

The last shot of the day was a little on the unlucky side. The Forth Bridge was illuminated beautifully by the sun before and after the appointed moment. Instead, the train crossed during a short-lived shower.

Never mind. The day may not have delivered perfect photographic conditions in the spots I chose but at the end of the day I was just happy to be here, having exchanged my poorly illuminated office-bedroom for the fresh air and extraordinary landscapes of Scotland.