HILLFOOTS villages will be able to travel to Edinburgh easier with the introduction of a new bus service.

The number 23 bus, provided by Glenfarg Community Transport, will run from Tillicoultry to Kinross, which allows for passengers to hop on a service to the capital from there.

This provides a much-needed link between Clackmannanshire and Kinross, filling the gap left by the former service which ran from Stirling and St Andrews via Kinross, which was withdrawn in 2021.

Glenfarg published information about the new bus on their website, outlining the work behind making this possible.

They said: “Glenfarg Community Transport Group is keen to emphasise that this is a community response to a transport problem and that this service is community-led and owned.

“GCTG has been working very closely with Fossoway Community Council and their Development Trust to design this service and will work very closely with the communities served.

“The new service will allow connections with the 52 service to and from Stirling and Alloa in Tillicoultry, and the frequent mainline bus services at Kinross Park & Ride will make onward travel to the main cities possible.”

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The 23 will start at the end of the 55’s trip, arriving in Kinross from Perth/Glenfarg.

It will then travel on to Tillicoultry via Crook of Devon, Powmill, Blairingone and Dollar and vice versa on the way back.

There will be 11 journeys per day in each direction, departing at 7:55am and then five to every hour until 5:55pm.

Lack of bus services in Hillfoots villages to and from Edinburgh has been a topic of contention in the Wee County.

Cuts to bus services from McGills has seen some villagers feel isolated in Clackmannanshire, with the introduction of the 23 coming as a welcome change for residents.

Full timetable details can be found online at https://glenfargct.co.uk/timetable/.

One resident, who wished to remain unnamed, shared her delight at the 23 bus.

She said: “I take the bus as often as I can without driving and I make a connection to Edinburgh at Kinross.

“The current 202 bus is always late or doesn’t show up at all – I’ve been stranded at Kinross before.

“I’m hoping that this will be amazing but we need people to use it and for people to know it’s happening.”