Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
A new trial hovercraft crossing of the Firth of Forth was officially launched today.The Stagecoach service between Kirkcaldy in Fife and Portobello in Edinburgh will carry up to 130 passengers at a time, starting from Monday July 16.
Officially launching the two-week trial, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:
"This is an innovative trial which has the potential to change the way people travel between Fife and Edinburgh. If we are to tackle congestion on Scotland's roads and encourage people out of their cars, we must give people a wide range of public transport choices.
"This trial gives people that added choice. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of the hovercraft service and make this trial a success."
The £300,000 trial has been part-funded by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran). It will offer a 20 minute crossing time, using a 28-metre BHT130 hovercraft, incorporating the latest diesel engine technology.
A total of 22 services a day - 11 in each direction - will operate on the route, with peak-time services and integrated bus links.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said:
"Public transport has clear environmental benefits over the car and we are very excited by the potential of the hovercraft service. The hovercraft can help shorten journey times for commuters and we also believe it will appeal to leisure travelers based in Scotland and tourists visiting from overseas.
"We have had huge support from statutory organisations and the local community for the service and we will be working closely with a range of partners to study the results of the trial in due course."
SEStran Chair Councillor Russell Imrie said:
"SEStran is supporting this trail with £92,000 of funding because we believe the service can make a useful contribution towards our objectives of cutting single occupancy car journeys and reducing pollution."
To prepare for the trial, temporary landing facilities have been put in place on the beachheads at Kirkcaldy and Portobello. A special plastic landing surface, security fencing and screens have been constructed at the sites, and further work will be carried out at the end of the trial to restore the beachheads to their original condition.
Scottish Natural Heritage has approved the pilot project and Stagecoach will be carrying out ongoing environmental impact studies, particularly in relation to bird life, Fife and City of Edinburgh Councils have also given support to the project.
