West Lothian & Fife

The Forth Bridges

About

The Forth Bridges

Iconic, historic and magnificent, Scotland’s Forth Bridges are a wonder of the modern world and one of Scotland's most recognisable locations. Towering side by side over the Firth of Forth, these structures represent the pinnacle of engineering across three centuries. The oldest of the bridges, The Forth Bridge, is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site of unique global significance and interest. Bridging the historic settlements of North and South Queensferry, the bridges are set in an area that has history, beauty, wildlife and community spirit in abundance. Slow down the pace and stay a wee while to soak up the enormity of these gargantuan structures and explore the heritage-rich local area. You're guaranteed a warm welcome and good old-fashioned Scottish hospitality. At Hopscotch Travel, we have a number of tours which incorporate Forth Bridges, ranging from day tours from Edinburgh , day tours from Glasgow and multi-day tours . Some of these include our 5-Day Skye & Highlands tour and 2-Day Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands tour.

Things to see & do

Walk the Forth Road Bridge footpath for close-up views
Photograph all three bridges from the Hawes Pier
Visit the Queensferry Museum in South Queensferry town
Walk the coastal path along the Firth of Forth
Take a boat trip under the bridges from South Queensferry
Visit the Queensferry Crossing visitor point on the north shore

FAQs

How long is the Forth Bridge?

The Forth Rail Bridge runs 2,528 metres, about 1.5 miles, from end to end. The newer Queensferry Crossing, opened in 2017, spans 2,700 metres and is the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world.

When was the Forth Bridge built?

The Forth Rail Bridge was built between 1883 and 1890 and opened on 4 March 1890. At the time it had the longest cantilever span in the world, and today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Can I walk across the Forth Bridge?

You can't walk the Forth Rail Bridge, as it's an active railway. The neighbouring Forth Road Bridge has a footpath and cycle lane on its eastern side, and the Queensferry Crossing is motorway only, with no pedestrian access.

What is an interesting fact about the Forth Bridge?

Building the Forth Rail Bridge took around 54,000 tonnes of steel and a workforce of about 4,600 men, and at least 73 of them died during construction. It also gave English the phrase 'painting the Forth Bridge' for a never-ending task, though modern paint means it no longer needs constant repainting.

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The Forth Bridges

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The Forth Bridges

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Key Facts
Region
West Lothian & Fife
From Inverness
107 miles (2hr 23mins)
From Edinburgh
8 miles (11 mins)
Best time to visit
Year-round; Forth Rail Bridge spectacularly lit at night
Location
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The Forth Bridges
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West Lothian & Fife

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Please contact us if you’d like to customise an existing tour or if you want to create a bespoke tour specifically for you and your group.

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