It may well have been a day of lowered, slate grey skies in Scotland, but members of Newtongrange Band recently helped to lift the spirits of travellers and commuters alike thanks to an innovative musical link with the Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP).

The band was invited by the Rotary Club of Dalkeith, who helps promote and look after the small station of Eskbank, to treat passengers to some easy listening music before they boarded their train.

Great success

As well as being Midlothian's busiest station, Eskbank is on a national cycling route connecting Edinburgh with the Borders, so has a wide variety of different people passing through each day.

The initiative was a great success; with the quintet proving to be a hit as they played for around an hour, accompanied by bursts of applause from usually quiet commuters, as well as impromptu photo-shoots and even passengers waving good bye to the ensemble as the train left the station.

Even a ticket inspector got in on the act as he sprinted off his train, got a picture and raced back on in time.

The initiative was a great success; with the quintet proving to be a hit as they played for around an hour, accompanied by bursts of applause from usually quiet commuters, as well as impromptu photo-shoots4BR

Fantastic experience

"It was a fantastic experience for us,"Band spokesperson Christopher Griffin told 4BR. "We were delighted at how much everyone seemed to enjoy what we did."

The link between the Rotary organisation and the band was further enhanced by the unveiling of a new banner at the station, with Rotary spokesperson Jim Orr adding: "Our thanks go out to the members of the band who rose magnificently to the occasion.

We're always delighted to showcase talent and confirm how much of it there is right here in the community."