Scotland

Gazing out across the Firth of Forth, one of the great Scottish views, decorated impressively by the Forth Railway Bridge, I cannot help but think, what a lucky wee country this is. Scotland is blessed with so many natural and man-made features that it forever causes one to stop and take notice.

Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, Scotland, is a good spot from which to photograph the Forth Railway Bridge. South Queensferry is situated on the south shore of the Firth and Forth and from here ferries used to cross the river, before the bridges were built. In the Summer, Cruise boats leave Hawes pier in South Queensferry for three hour cruises.

The Bridge is located nine miles West of Edinburgh, and is a remarkable cantilever structure which is still regarded as an engineering marvel and is recognised the world over. The bridge was built to carry the two tracks of the North British Railway the one and half miles over the Firth of Forth between South Queensferry and North Queensferry, at a height of one hundred and fifty above the high tide. The structure, with its three massive cantilever towers each three hundred and fourty feet high, was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker and constructed by Sir William Arrol.

The bridge remains in regular use, carrying the main east coast line over to Fife and eventually onwards to Dundee and Aberdeen. Tour Scotland.