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POINT OF INTEREST

Forth Bridge

Queensferry, GBR

The Forth Bridge, the distinctive red-hued cantilevered railway bridge that arches over the Firth of Forth close to Edinburgh, is one of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols. A triumph of engineering, the bridge is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 1,709-foot (521-meter single cantilever span is the second-longest in the world.

The bridge, which has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 meters), spans the Firth of Forth between the villages of South Queensferry, in the Scottish region of West Lothian, and North Queensferry in Fife. You can get a good view of it by traveling over one of the other two bridges that cross the Forth. You can cross both the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing by vehicle and you can also cross the Forth Road Bridge by foot or bicycle.

Many guided tours leaving from Edinburgh to the Highlands and other Scottish regions go north over the bridge, which is a great way to incorporate the bridge into your visit without having to make an additional trip. Alternatively, you can see the bridge from the ground in either North or South Queensferry, or from the water by taking a boat tour.

  • The Forth Bridge is a must-visit for those interested in architecture and engineering.
  • During periods of high winds, speed reductions or lane closures may be in force on the Queensferry and Forth Road Bridges.
  • Boat tours can take you to the uninhabited island of Inchgarvie, located directly under the bridge.

The Forth Bridge is served by a railway station at either end: North Queensferry and Dalmeny, just outside South Queensferry. Around 200 trains pass over it every day. To get to the northern end of the bridge from Edinburgh, take the train to North Queensferry station.

You can see the bridge any time of the day. It perhaps looks at its best when it is lit up after dark. The glowing red of the bridge and the reflection of the lights in the water makes for a spectacular scene.

As well as offering great views of the bridge, the quaint village of North Queensferry is worth spending time in. Located at the southern end of the Fife Coastal Trail, one of Scotland’s greatest walking trails, North Queensferry is also home to the world's smallest still-working light tower, the Deep Sea World aquarium, and a few restaurants.

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