THE new Borders Railway should aim to take one million visitors to the south of Scotland by 2020, according to the First Minister.
Alex Salmond, who was in the region to publish a "vision" setting out the economic benefits of the new line, said the figure was a "big target" for the Borders.
Trains will be operational on the Borders Railway from September 2015, running between Edinburgh and Tweedbank. New stations are being built at Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, Galashiels and Tweedbank.
The Scottish Government says the new line will generate millions of pounds for the economy, transform tourism opportunities and open up communities in south-east Scotland as places to live and work. Developments related to the project include the creation of a new 4,000-home community at Shawfair, Midlothian, with amenities and a school due to open in September 2016.
A pilot scenic stream train experience is also planned, while the Great Tapestry of Scotland will be on display in Tweedbank.
Speaking from Abbotsford House, former home of Sir Walter Scott, in Melrose, the First Minister said: "We can expect the Scottish economy to benefit by tens of millions of pounds from the train line. The area around the railway line will be an exceptional tourist destination."
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