Latest Visits
Countries
Regions
Years
Categories
Search

The Forth Bridge

Firth of Forth, Scotland
24.03.2011

The Forth Bridge, located in the Firth of Forth in Scotland, is a world-renowned engineering marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning over 2.5 kilometers, this iconic bridge connects the cities of Edinburgh and Fife, carrying rail traffic across the Forth estuary.

The construction of the Forth Bridge began in 1882 and was completed eight years later in 1890. Designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker, this cantilever railway bridge was a revolutionary feat of engineering at the time, using over 55,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets. It was also the first major structure in Britain to be constructed entirely of steel.

The Forth Bridge has not only stood the test of time but has also become an iconic symbol of Scotland. Its distinctive red color and intricate design have inspired artists, photographers, and writers for over a century. In fact, it was even featured on the back of the British £20 note from 2007 to 2020.

Aside from its aesthetic value, the Forth Bridge serves as a vital transportation link for both passengers and freight. It carries over 200 trains per day, connecting the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands and providing a scenic journey for travelers.

Visitors can experience the grandeur of this historic bridge by taking a guided tour or crossing it on a train journey. The Forth Bridge is also a popular spot for adrenaline seekers, offering the opportunity to bungee jump or zipline from the bridge.

In addition to its impressive engineering and cultural significance, the Forth Bridge is also an important habitat for a variety of bird species, including puffins, cormorants, and shags. It has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Overall, the Forth Bridge is a remarkable structure that combines beauty, functionality, and innovation. Its enduring legacy continues to attract visitors from all over the world, and it remains a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the human spirit.


This railway bridge, crossing the Forth estuary in Scotland, had the world’s longest spans (541 m) when it opened in 1890. It remains one of the greatest cantilever trussed bridges and continues to carry passengers and freight. Its distinctive industrial aesthetic is the result of a forthright and unadorned display of its structural components. Innovative in style, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge marks an important milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.

The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, 9 miles (14 kilometres) west of central Edinburgh. Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland (having been voted Scotland's greatest man-made wonder in 2016), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge (to distinguish it from the adjacent Forth Road Bridge), although this is not its official name.

Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and it was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Duke of Rothesay, the future Edward VII. The bridge carries the Edinburgh–Aberdeen line across the Forth between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry and has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 m). When it opened it had the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world, until 1919 when the Quebec Bridge in Canada was completed. It continues to be the world's second-longest single cantilever span, with a span of 1,709 feet (521 m).

The bridge and its associated railway infrastructure are owned by Network Rail.

wikipedia.org