A bus route through Fife’s East Neuk is in the running to be named Scotland’s most scenic.
The number 95 Stagecoach service from St Andrews to Leven is among routes across Scotland, England and Wales that passengers can vote for in the Britain’s Most Scenic Bus Route survey.
Douglas Robertson, commercial director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We are proud that service 95 has been shortlisted in the Bus Users UK competition to find Britain’s Most Scenic Bus Route.
“The East Neuk has been described by Lonely Planet as ‘an appealing nook of the country to investigate, with picturesque fishing villages whose distinctive red pantiled roofs and crowstep gables are a legacy of centuries-old trading links with the Low Countries.’
“Our 95 route from Leven connects the communities and quaint coastal fishing villages of Lower Largo, Elie, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail before the impressive views across St Andrews before arriving into the old University town.
“It is a great way to access the many attractions in the area and the popular Fife Coastal Path. With such a lot to see it’s no wonder we are seeing more and more people explore the area by bus.
“We welcome the opportunity to put Fife’s scenery on the map and would like to encourage people to vote for the East Neuk bus route. More information about the competition is available at bususers.org or on Twitter @mostscenicbus.”
Other routes the public can vote for are Stagecoach North Scotland services from Aberdeen to Perth, Aviemore to Cairngorm and Elgin to Dufftown.
First South East and Central Scotland services from Stirling to Callander and from Stirling to Aberfoyle are also included in the survey.
The three-month survey has already attracted more than 3000 votes from bus travellers across the country.
Researchers in Yorkshire are confident of a much larger response before voting ends in May.
The five largest bus companies in the UK – Arriva, First, Go-Ahead, Stagecoach and Transdev – are supporting the survey and asking their 460,000 followers on social media to take part.
Bus Users UK are sponsoring the project, which will highlight the many routes that pass through the British countryside.
Winners will be announced this summer and a website produced to promote the top 10.
Claire Walters, chief executive of Bus Users UK, added: “The main aim of the survey is to celebrate Britain’s best bus routes and encourage more people to experience the spectacular views of our rugged coastline, mountain passes, lakes, moors and dales without having to worry about driving, directions or parking.
“We are fortunate to still have many regular routes that serve rural communities in such a wide variety of breath-taking countryside.”
