Football and golf fans across Tayside and Fife face major disruption over the next two weekends during train strikes.
Members of the RMT union are taking industrial action – which will impact services this Saturday (October 1) and next Saturday (October 8).
It is part of an ongoing pay dispute with Network Rail.
ScotRail staff are not involved – but the operator says the workers are in safety-critical roles so most services cannot run.
It means no ScotRail trains will be running at all through Angus, Dundee or Perthshire on either day – while there will be a knock-on impact on services on the following Sundays.
Most trains across Fife are also cancelled – with two trains an hour running between Edinburgh and Inverkeithing/Dunfermline/Cowdenbeath only, and the final services leaving before 6.30pm.
LNER has also confirmed no services will run in Scotland at all this Saturday, and is finalising its timetable for the following weekend.
Alfred Dunhill Links golf affected
This Saturday, St Johnstone play Dundee United at Tannadice – with Saints fans now unable to get to the game by train.
On the same day, Dundee are due to play away to Hamilton – with supporters having to find other ways to reach the central belt.
Meanwhile the Dark Blues’ trip to Arbroath next Saturday, with a big travelling away support expected, is also impacted by the lack of trains.
Fans of sides including Raith Rovers and Dunfermline will also face travel problems getting to away games.
In addition, the strike will affect the third day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship golf, which is being held at Carnoustie, St Andrews and Kingsbarns this weekend.
A host of big-name golfers and celebrities are taking part in the event.
Separate strike action is planned for Monday October 10, as part of a dispute between RMT and ScotRail.
The operator says it is working on an updated timetable for that date.
Will alternative transport be arranged?
David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, has confirmed the operator will not be running replacement buses.
He said: ”It’s really disappointing to see more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network at a time when we need to be encouraging more people back to the railway.
“For ScotRail, it’s going to mean that we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers.
“ScotRail customers should expect significant disruption to services on Saturday October 1 and Saturday October 8, as well as on the following days.
“We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the day of strike action.
“Customers should check your journey in advance to make sure your train is running if you’re travelling on the day following strike action, Sunday October 2 or Sunday October 9.”
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