With two important sporting fixtures and the Edinburgh Festivals taking place this weekend, train services in Scotland are expected to be very busy and travellers are being encouraged to plan their journeys ahead.

The UCI Cycling World Championships are being held from today, Thursday, 3rd until Sunday, 13th August, and ScotRail has already announced that it is laying on extra trains to support them.

About 8,000 elite and amateur cyclists from over 120 countries will take part in the championships in venues and locations in Glasgow and across Scotland.

Full travel advice for anyone attending the championships can be found on the ScotRail website at scotrail.co.uk/uci-cycling-world-championships.

The Edinburgh Festivals which run throughout August from tomorrow, Friday, 4th until Monday, 28th will see hundreds of thousands of people visit Edinburgh to the thousands of shows to be held at more than 250 venues around the city.

Anyone attending the festivals is encouraged to plan their journey and buy tickets in advance by using the ScotRail app or on ScotRail’s dedicated festival webpage at scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/things-do/getting-you-edinburgh-festivals.

This Saturday, 5th August at Scottish Gas Murrayfield is a Scotland v France rugby international in the Famous Grouse Nations Series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield with a 3:15 pm kick off.

With the many thousands of people expected to travel by train to the match, where possible, ScotRail will be adding extra seats to trains all day on services to and from Edinburgh Waverley.

Rugby fans are recommended to plan their journey in advance and purchase their tickets through the ScotRail app as part of the mTickets system which allows them to purchase their tickets from home or on the way to the station, and it will be instantly downloaded to their mobile device.

Anyone attending the match should note that because of the redevelopment of a building next to Haymarket station not owned by ScotRail. access to Haymarket station is restricted.

Also, both rugby fans and people attending the Edinburgh Festivals will be using the station so it is expected to be significantly busier than usual in the afternoon and early evening.

To assist customers extra ScotRail will be available, and ScotRail is reiterating that the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.

Phil Campbell, Customer Operations Director, said: “This is a very busy weekend for people travelling to multiple events and we are excited to be playing our part in helping to make them a success and welcoming visitors to the country.

“We have made significant enhancements to our services to support the events, running as many trains as possible, with extra seats added to help where they are needed most.

“ScotRail trains will be busy, and people can expect stations to be busier than normal, but we will have extra staff on hand to help, and do everything possible to keep people moving.

“To make your travel experience as smooth as possible, I’d encourage to purchase your train tickets before boarding. The mTicket system, available on the ScotRail app, offers a convenient way to secure your tickets and download them straight to your mobile phone, avoiding any unnecessary queues on the day.”