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The Forth Bridges

The magnificent Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing
 

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Forth Bridge
Three centuries of spectacular engineering. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Scotland’s most instantly recognisable locations.

THE FACTS

Forth Bridge
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Opened: 1890
Length: 1½ miles (2.5 km)
Highest point: 360 feet (110 metres) above high water

Forth Road Bridge
One of the world’s most-significant suspension bridges
Opened: 1964
Length: 1½ miles (2.5 km)
Highest point: 512 feet (157 metres) above high water

Queensferry Crossing
The world’s longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge
Opened: 2017
Length: 1¾ miles (2.7 km)
Highest point: 683 feet (207 metres) above high water

Three unique, world-class bridges between the Fife towns of Rosyth and North Queensferry cross the River Forth, providing vital transport links to and from Fife – and utterly breathtaking views

These bridges were designed and built to take people to and fro. Break with tradition. Take a trip to The Bridges. Rather than passing through, stop. Discover the history, the people, the wildlife and the stories that surround the Forth Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.

Explore the area around – and under – The Bridges. While others speed to their destinations by rail and road, wander through the streets of North Queensferry. As trains trundle above your head on the Forth Bridge, feel the vibrations shiver through the mighty iron cantilevers into the rocks below your feet. 

Listen to the faint whirr of vehicles crossing the Forth Road and Queensferry Crossing as you watch yachts, cruise liners and container ships make their way along the River Forth. Sit on the pier with a coffee and watch the world go by while experiencing The Bridges in all their glory.

Fife Bridge
The Fife village sheltering under The Forth Bridge

Nestling under the northern cantilevers of the Forth Bridge, passing overhead trains provide a rumbling soundtrack to daily life in North Queensferry. 

Look up at the massive iron structure towering above the village. Go to Railway Pier, where train carriages and their passengers once made the journey across the wide and often stormy river by ferry. Climb to the top of the world’s smallest museum, housed in a tiny Light Tower, for a different perspective of one of the world’s most impressive railway bridges.  

Take the train across the Forth Bridge from North Queensferry’s restored Victorian station (built as an afterthought once the bridge was up and running). Alternatively, walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge, with its incredible views of the neighbouring bridges, out to sea and across the beautiful Fife countryside and coastline.

Forth Bridge
All At Sea

What could be more magical than sailing under these iconic bridges.

Cruise under The Bridges on a boat trip from North Queensferry with Forth Sea Safaris. As well as sailing below all three of the Forth bridges, Forth Sea Safaris’ ribs and catamarans also go to Inchcolm Island and several of the other islands in the Forth. 

Medieval Inchcolm Abbey, long-abandoned wartime defences, marinas where yachts gently bob in the water, colonies of seabirds on rocky, uninhabited islands, seals popping their heads up for a good look at the visitors passing through their patch of the Forth and, of course, the chance to see The Bridges up close.

Inchcolm Abbey

“Looking up at the crisscrossed iron of the Forth Bridge from the water was a never-to-be-forgotten experience. And then we also went below the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. Amazing! I’ll never cross the Forth again without thinking about our boat trip under The Bridges.”

EXPLORE.

Walking’s the best way to get to know this hidden gem of an area. 

Follow Fife Coastal Path from charming Limekilns and Charlestown heading towards North Queensferry to see The Bridges at their very best. Undertake the first section of Scotland’s answer to the Camino de Santiago, Fife Pilgrim Way, which officially starts at Culross but has an alternative starting point in North Queensferry.

Stride along the Forth Bridges Trail, a circular walk of about five miles which takes in all three bridges and the villages on either side. Or pick up North Queensferry Trust’s  Self-Guided Tours of the Forth Bridge leaflet from various places close to The Bridges.

Limekilns

“I’d seen hundreds of photos of the Forth Bridge but nothing prepared me for how I felt when I looked up at its massive iron girders. I was dwarfed by the bridge – and utterly blown away by its ingenuity and magnificence."

Take It Easy

Stop a while in one of the cafés, restaurants or bars overlooking or under The Bridges. 

From the luxury of the glass-fronted Shore Grille and Fish House at the Double Tree by Hilton  to the welcoming cosiness of Rankin’s Café  in the centre of North Queensferry and the child-friendly atmosphere of the café at Deep Sea World. Take a seat and enjoy the view. 

double tree by hilton
Unforgettable Views

No matter the angle, the weather or the backdrop, The Bridges are always breathtaking. Engineering has never been so photogenic.

 

Bridge with Sunset
Railway Bridge
Twin Bridges in Fife
View from the top
Forth Bridge

48 hours in and around The Bridges.

The Wee Restaurant North Queensferry

DAY 1

9AM

North Queensferry Station. While waiting to catch the next train across the Forth Bridge (return ticket to Dalmeny), or when you get back from your whistlestop tour, visit the fascinating Forth Bridge Heritage Centre. 

11AM

Deep Sea World. Get as close as possible to sealife from all over the world without getting wet! Feeling brave? This giant aquarium also offers the chance to swim with sharks.

3PM 

Walk along the coast to Carlingnose Point Wildlife Reserve, then Jamestown, site of the 1651 Battle of Inverkeithing.

7PM

The Wee Restaurant, North Queensferry. Go on – treat yourself!

STAY

£ The Armoury, North Queensferry

££ Coorie by the Coast, Limekilns 

£££ Double Tree Hilton Queensferry Crossing, by North Queensferry

 

Culross

DAY 2

8AM

Start the day with a walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge – get up even earlier to capture the sunrise hitting The Bridges

10AM

Take the Fife Coastal Path to Charlestown and then Limekilns. Coffee and cake stop at the Sundial Café.

11PM 

Continue along the Forth to Culross – historic fishing village and regular filming location for Outlander.

3PM

Dunfermline. Museums, royal castles, ancient cathedrals, shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, theatres and cinemas – it’s all here in Scotland’s newest city.

STAY

£ Craigduckie Shepherd Huts, by Dunfermline  

££ The Garden House, Dunfermline 

£££ Garvock House Hotel, Dunfermline 

 

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For more information visit The Forth Bridges

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