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The Forth Bridge's red cantilevered spans rising from stone piers across the water
Lothian

Forth Bridge

The great red cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth at Queensferry, opened in 1890 and a World Heritage Site since 2015.

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Welcome

Few things say Scotland like the Forth Bridge.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Its three great red cantilevers stride across the Firth of Forth on massive stone piers between South and North Queensferry, and when it opened in 1890 it was the wonder of the age: the world's first major structure of steel, and for 28 years the bridge with the longest span on earth.

It was built for the railway, and it still carries only trains, so the best way to feel its size is from below. The shore at South Queensferry, by the old Hawes Inn, looks straight up at the approach spans, and from there the whole bridge marches away across the water, with the modern Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge beyond. North Queensferry, on the Fife side, gives another view.

A full restoration, finished in 2012, returned it to its original condition, and in 2015 UNESCO made it Scotland's sixth World Heritage Site. Better still, take a train over it and look down on the Forth.

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Before you go

Seen from the shore at South or North Queensferry at any time; the bridge itself carries only trains.

Opened
1890.
World Heritage
Since 2015.
Crossing
By train only.

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Did you know

The red cantilevered spans of the Forth Bridge crossing the water, its stone piers rising from the shore
Did you know

The first great steel bridge.

The Forth Bridge was the world's first major steel structure, and for 28 years it had the world's longest span.

The Forth Bridge's red cantilevered spans framed by overhanging tree branches
Did you know

A World Heritage Site.

UNESCO made the Forth Bridge Scotland's sixth World Heritage Site in July 2015.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lothian

Few sights say Scotland quite like the Forth Bridge. Its three great red cantilevers stride across the firth between South and North Queensferry, and when it opened in 1890 it was the wonder of the age. Until 1917 it had the longest span of any bridge on earth. It still carries only trains, so to feel its size, stand on the shore at South Queensferry and look up at the approach spans. In 2015 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then take a train over it and look down on the water.

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Where it is

Across the Firth of Forth between South Queensferry and North Queensferry.

Close byQueensferry.
  1. The counter at Dune Bakery in South Queensferry, with croissants, pains au chocolat, twists, cruffins and focaccia sandwiches behind glass.Dune BakeryUnder a mile as the crow flies
  2. The timber front of the Craigies farm shop under a blue sky, with tables of pumpkins and crates of apples, cauliflowers and cabbages outside the door.Craigies Farm2 miles as the crow flies
  3. Aproned woman and dog stand outside Coorie by the Coast caféCoorie by the Coast5 miles 12 min by road
  4. Round stone tower with battlements standing above open farmlandCammo EstateThe wild estate on the city's edge.10 miles 16 min by road
  5. Cramond Brig reflected in the River Almond among trees.Cramond BrigThe old bridge over the Almond.10 miles 18 min by road
  6. Cramond BeachCramond BeachThe shore at Cramond.11 miles 21 min by road
Directions
The green shopfront of Must Be Crackers! on Dunfermline High Street, its counter and shelves seen through the open door.ShoppingMust Be Crackers!5.6 miles
Ruined abbey tower on Inchcolm island, hills rising beyond the firthAttractionsInchcolm6.5 miles
Stone abbey tower with pinnacles rising above autumn trees and hedgesAttractionsDunfermline Abbey and Palace6.5 miles
Ruined stone tower and walls of a castle rising above overgrown grassAttractionsAberdour Castle and Gardens6.6 miles
Red-harled townhouse with crow-stepped gables overlooking a moss-covered graveyardAttractionsAbbot House6.6 miles
Child runs across a ladybird-themed play park, ice cream van parked behindAttractionsPittencrieff Park6.7 miles
Small stone chapel with arched doorway and bellcote, gravestones and bench nearbyAttractionsSt Fillan’s Church6.8 miles
Stone entrance building with wooden bench, lettering reads "Saint Margaret's CaveAttractionsSt Margaret's Cave6.8 miles
The pond in Inverleith Park with swans on the water and the Edinburgh skyline beyond the trees, under a clear blue sky.AttractionsInverleith Park7.1 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bridge, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Lothian
  • 8 miles from the Forth Bridge
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 8 miles from the Forth Bridge
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 8 miles from the Forth Bridge
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 10 miles from the Forth Bridge
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in LothianAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it and more in Lothian.

ArticleA Day Ashore in EdinburghArticleScotland’s Greatest Rail Journeys (and Where They’ll Take You)ArticleExplore the world’s first digital UNESCO trail
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .