Rudy’s first visit to see the Forth Bridge was on a rather overcast November day. After our train to Dalmeny we walked along part of the old South Queensferry Branch railway and then down to the shore under the bridge itself to get a favourite selfie!
The Forth Bridge stretches 2.5 km (1.5 miles) across the Firth of Forth between South Queensferry and North Queensferry. It opened on the 4th March 1890 and since 2015 has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distinctive design means it’s one of the most recognisable built landmarks for Scotland.
The bridge stands 110 metres above high water and took 53,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets to build. At one time 4,000 workers were employed in it’s making but sadly 57 men lost their lives during the seven years of construction. There is a memorial to these men on the shorefront at South Queensferry.
South Queensferry
To get from Dalmeny station to the bridge views at the shore Rudy walked along part of the old South Queensferry Branch railway line path. This was the original route of the railway from Edinburgh connecting with the ferry (ran by the North British Railway) into Fife and trains to Dunfermline. The branch lost importance with the opening of the Forth Bridge and closed completely some time around 1930. Most of the route has been saved for use as a peaceful wooded walking & cycling path.
Rudy & Lenny
The approach to the Forth Bridge southern portal towers over The Hawes Inn and makes for quite the climb back up to Dalmeny station after an afternoon exploring South Queensferry!
The Forth Bridge lies between two train stations, with frequent Fife Circle trains calling at both for those wanting to travel over the bridge. Dalmeny at the south end serves South Queensferry where tourist boat trips can be taken out to islands in the Firth itself. The boats pass under the rail bridge.
There are also two road traffic bridges nearby – the Forth Road Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing. Rudy didn’t bother with those.