Full Answer
Where is the Forth Bridge?
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.
How many bridges cross the River Forth in Scotland?
The three bridges over the River Forth have inspired a Scots artist to create some new fun items – and collect 15 fascinating facts. It’s just under a year since the Queensferry Crossing, the third of the Forth bridges, was officially opened by the Queen.
Is the Forth Road bridge still in use today?
The Forth Rail Bridge is still fully operational to this day and carries over 200 trains across the Firth of Forth each day. 4. The Forth Road Bridge was opened in 1964 following cultural demand. Prior to this the only way to cross directly across the Firth of Forth in a car was via a Ferry service between North Queensferry and Queensferry.
Where is the River Forth in Scotland?
The River Forth is a major river in central Scotland, 47 km (29 mi) long, which drains into the North Sea on the east coast of the country. Its drainage basin covers much of Stirlingshire in Scotland 's Central Belt.
How long is the Forth River?
Where does the Forth flow?
What is the name of the river that flows through Stirling?
When was the Clackmannanshire bridge opened?
What settlements are there on the Firth of Forth?
What is the name of the river above Stirling?
When was the Queensferry bridge opened?
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About this website
What does the Forth Bridge cross?
Forth BridgeForth Road BridgeRiver Forth/Bridges
What does the Forth Bridge connect?
The bridge spans the Firth of Forth, connecting Edinburgh, at South Queensferry, to Fife, at North Queensferry. It replaced a centuries-old ferry service to carry vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians across the Forth; railway crossings are made by the nearby Forth Bridge, opened in 1890.
Why are there 3 Forth bridges?
Opened by the Queen, 4th Sept, 2017 The first of the three bridges. Over engineered in the wake of the Tay Bridge Disaster, it was designed to project strength and stability to the eyes of the travelling Victorians. It is perhaps one of the most recognisable structures in the world.
Why is Forth Bridge famous?
The world's first major steel structure, the Forth Bridge represents a key milestone in the history of modern railway civil engineering and still holds the record as the world's longest cantilever bridge. A full-scale restoration project to return the bridge to its original construction condition was completed in 2012.
Where does the Forth Bridge start and finish?
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)....Forth BridgeDesignerSir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin BakerConstruction start1882Construction endDecember 1889Opened4 March 189033 more rows
Are there 2 Forth bridges?
On the northern bank of the River Forth, the three Forth bridges are all built within one mile of each other. 13. The Queensferry Crossing is the longest three tower cable-stayed bridge in the world.
How many died building the Queensferry Crossing?
At the peak of work about 4,600 men were employed on the construction. It was long said that 57 died during the building of the bridge, although recent research by local historians indicated 73 would be a more accurate figure.
Whats the longest bridge in the UK?
At 4,626 ft, the Humber Bridge is the UK's longest single-span suspension bridge and the eighth longest in the world. It also remains the longest bridge in the world that can be crossed on foot or by cycle.
What is the oldest bridge in Ireland called?
The bridge opposite 'Gulladuff House' on the grounds of Moville Boutique Hostel is reputed to be the oldest bridge in Ireland, dating back to the 6th Century. Legend has it that this bridge was built by St.
Why is the Forth Bridge red?
Known as 'Forth Bridge Red', the final layer of paint was specifically created to emulate the original red oxide colouration the bridge had when first opened in 1890. The restoration operation was completed in December 2011, marking the first time the entire structure had been repainted in its history.
What is a firth in Scotland?
Firth is a word in the English and Scots languages used to denote various coastal waters in the United Kingdom, predominantly within Scotland. In the Northern Isles, it more usually refers to a smaller inlet.
How many bridges cross the Firth of Forth?
Forth BridgeForth Road BridgeFirth of Forth/BridgesThree bridges spanning Iconic, historic and dynamic, Scotland's Forth Bridges are a wonder of the modern world. Towering side by side over the Firth of Forth, these structures represent the pinnacle of engineering from three centuries.
Charts covering the North Sea including the Firth of Forth to the ...
Full members of visitmyharbour have access to all these charts, and well over 800 more full sized "paper" charts, giving complete UK and Irish coverage, full British chart coverage of Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium
Map - Forth Estuary Forum
News. Project Officer / Senior Project Officer x 2 Scotland, coastal / marine More > Planning and Biodiversity Webinar 2nd October 2020 More > Forth Environmental Resilience Array
River Forth, Stirling – Rivers and Canals | VisitScotland
The River Forth rises from Loch Ard in the Trossachs National Park, flows eastward through Aberfoyle and over Flanders Moss before meandering through Stirling.
History of the Forth - Forth Estuary Forum
The historic importance of water traffic in the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth cannot be underestimated. For centuries the Inner Forth waterway played host to vessels of various sizes, which carried people, commodities and goods not only to and from Europe and beyond, but also between the north and south shores.
Longest rivers of the United Kingdom - Wikipedia
There seems to be little consensus in published sources as to the lengths of rivers, nor much agreement as to what constitutes a river. Thus the River Ure and River Ouse can be counted as one river system or as two rivers. If it is counted as one, the River Aire/ River Ouse/Humber system would come fourth in the list, with a combined length of 161 miles (259 km); and the River Trent/Humber ...
Where is the Forth Bridge?
Location. 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 as a symbol of Scotland (having been voted Scotland's greatest man-made wonder in 2016), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where is the railway bridge over the Firth of Forth?
Cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. Not to be confused with Fourth Bridge. This article is about the railway bridge. For the road bridge, see Forth Road Bridge. For other uses, see Forth Bridge (disambiguation). Forth Bridge.
How long is the Edinburgh-Aberdeen bridge?
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.
What was the NBR's role in the Forth Bridge?
Before the opening of the bridge, the North British Railway (NBR) had lines on both sides of the Firth of Forth between which trains could not pass except by running at least as far west as Alloa and using the lines of a rival company. The only alternative route between Edinburgh and Fife involved the ferry at Queensferry, which was purchased by the NBR in 1867. Accordingly, the NBR sponsored the Forth Bridge project which would give them a direct link independent of the Caledonian Railway. A conference at York in 1881 set up the Forth Bridge Railway Committee, to which the NBR contributed 35% of the cost. The remaining money came from three English railways, which ran trains from London over NBR tracks. The Midland Railway, which connected to the NBR at Carlisle and which owned the route to London St Pancras, contributed 30%, and 17.5% came equally from each of the North Eastern Railway and the Great Northern Railway, which between them owned the route between Berwick-upon-Tweed and London King's Cross, via Doncaster. This body undertook to construct and maintain the bridge.
What is the meaning of painting the Forth Bridge?
"Painting the Forth Bridge" is a colloquial expression for a never-ending task, coined on the erroneous belief that at one time in the history of the bridge repainting was required and commenced immediately upon completion of the previous repaint. Such a practice never existed, as weathered areas were given more attention, but there was a permanent maintenance crew. In 2011, the bridge was covered in a new coating designed to last for 25 years, bringing an end to having painters as a regular part of the maintenance crew. Colin Hardie, of Balfour Beatty Construction, was reported as saying,
How long was the railway journey from London to Aberdeen?
Before the opening of the Forth Bridge, the railway journey from London to Aberdeen had taken about 13 hours running from Euston and using the London and North Western Railway and Caledonian Railway on a west coast route. With competition opened up along the east coast route from the Great Northern, North Eastern and North British railways and starting from King's Cross, unofficial racing took place between the two consortia, reducing the journey time to about 8½ hours on the overnight runs. This reached a climax in 1895 with sensational daily press reports about the " Race to the North ". When race fever subsided the journey times became around 10½ hours.
What was the Forth crossing?
In 1806, a pair of tunnels, one for each direction, was proposed, and in 1818 James Anderson produced a design for a three-span suspension bridge close to the site of the present one.
How much steel was used to build the Forth Bridge?
The highest point of the Forth Bridge stands 110 metres above high water and 137 metres above its foundations. 53,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets were used to construct the Forth Bridge.
How many lights are there on the Forth Bridge?
There are 1,040 lights installed on the Forth Bridge, using approximately 35-40,000 metres of cable. 57 lives were lost during the construction of the Forth Bridge. At the height of its construction, more than 4,000 men were employed.
What is the Forth Bridge?
Iconic, historic and dynamic, Scotland’s Forth Bridges are a wonder of the modern world. Towering side by side over the Firth of Forth, these structures represent the pinnacle of engineering from three centuries.
Is the Forth Bridge a World Heritage Site?
World Heritage Site The Forth Bridge has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage... Railway services The Forth Bridge is served by a railway station at either end... Go Forth and Discover! Digital game See the construction of the Forth Bridge come to life in our...
What is the Forth Road Bridge?
The Forth Road Bridge (centre, left), alongside the new Queensferry Crossing and the iconic railway bridge. The three bridges over the River Forth have inspired a Scots artist to create some new fun items – and collect 15 fascinating facts.
When was the Forth Bridge built?
The Forth Bridge, opened 1890. 1. It was the first major steel construction in the UK. 2. At 1.5 miles in overall length, it had the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world when opened in 1890; today it still has the second longest span. 3.
Who is the artist behind the Queensferry crossing?
It’s just under a year since the Queensferry Crossing, the third of the Forth bridges, was officially opened by the Queen. Artist Gillian Kyle was interested in viewing the three bridges as a collective and their combined social and economic impact. Gillian said: ‘As a Scottish artist, I draw inspiration from what’s around me.
What is the longest suspension bridge in the world?
The Forth Road Bridge upon its opening was the longest suspension bridge in the world outside of the United States and bears a close and elegant resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge on which it was modelled. 9. Soon after opening, the number of vehicles crossing the Forth leapt from 900,000 to 5 million annually.
What is the Queensferry Bridge?
With the two existing bridges already being an iconic image of Scotland, the Queensferry crossing is set to transform not only the image of the Firth of Forth but the way people travel between Edinburgh and Fife too.
What was the first bridge built?
1. The first bridge to be build was the famous red Forth Rail Bridge. Opened in 1890 after taking 7 years to build. 2. The Forth Rail Bridge is an exceptional example of Victorian Engineering and was a pioneering build at its time, using more steel than had ever been used in a single structure before. 3.
How long is the Forth River?
Length. 47 km (29 mi) The River Forth is a major river in central Scotland, 47 km (29 mi) long, which drains into the North Sea on the east coast of the country. Its drainage basin covers much of Stirlingshire in Scotland 's Central Belt. The Gaelic name for the upper reach of the river, above Stirling, is Abhainn Dubh, meaning "black river".
Where does the Forth flow?
From Stirling, the Forth flows east, accepting the Bannock Burn from the south before passing the town of Fallin. It then passes two towns in Clackmannanshire: firstly Cambus (where it is joined by the River Devon ), closely followed by Alloa.
What is the name of the river that flows through Stirling?
The water is known as the Firth of Forth beyond the Clackmannanshire and Kincardine bridges although the transition point is unclear. Upstream from Stirling, the river is rather narrow and can be crossed in numerous places.
When was the Clackmannanshire bridge opened?
The Clackmannanshire Bridge, just upstream of the Kincardine Bridge, opened on 19 November 2008. A railway bridge, the Alloa Swing Bridge, previously connected Alloa on the northern shore with Throsk on the southern shore. It opened in 1885 and was closed and mostly demolished in 1970: Only the metal piers remain.
What settlements are there on the Firth of Forth?
The banks have many settlements along them, including Aberfoyle, Gargunnock, Stirling, Fallin, Cambus, Throsk, Alloa, South Alloa, Dunmore, Airth, and Kincardine. Beyond these settlements, the water turns brackish, and is usually considered part of the Firth of Forth.
What is the name of the river above Stirling?
The Gaelic name for the upper reach of the river, above Stirling, is Abhainn Dubh, meaning "black river". The name for the river below the tidal reach (just past where it is crossed by the M9 motorway) is Uisge For .
When was the Queensferry bridge opened?
It opened in 1885 and was closed and mostly demolished in 1970: Only the metal piers remain. Much further downstream, joining North Queensferry and South Queensferry, is another railway bridge, the famous Forth Bridge, which opened in 1890, and the Forth Road Bridge, which opened in 1964.
Overview
The River Forth is a major river in central Scotland, 47 km (29 mi) long, which drains into the North Sea on the east coast of the country. Its drainage basin covers much of Stirlingshire in Scotland's Central Belt. The Gaelic name for the upper reach of the river, above Stirling, is Abhainn Dubh, meaning "black river". The name for the river below the tidal reach (just past where it is crossed by th…
Name
Forth derives from Proto-Celtic *Vo-rit-ia (slow running), yielding Foirthe in Old Gaelic.
Course
The Forth rises in the Trossachs, a mountainous area 30 km (19 mi) west of Stirling. Ben Lomond's eastern slopes drain into the Duchray Water, which meets with Avondhu River coming from Loch Ard. The confluence of these two streams is the nominal start of the River Forth. From there it flows roughly eastward through Aberfoyle, joining with the Kelty Water about 5 km further downstream. It then flows into the flat expanse of the Carse of Stirling, including Flanders Moss. …
Settlements on the river
The banks have many settlements along them, including Aberfoyle, Gargunnock, Stirling, Fallin, Cambus, Throsk, Alloa, South Alloa, Dunmore, Airth, and Kincardine. Beyond these settlements, the water turns brackish, and is usually considered part of the Firth of Forth.
Port activities
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Stirling harbour was a busy port, with goods coming into Scotland and being exported to Europe. As a result, Stirling had very close ties with the Hansa towns, with Bruges in Belgium, and with Veere (known at the time as Campvere) in the Netherlands. After 1707, trade with America became the new focus, and so a lot of trade activity shifted from Stirli…
Bridges
Upstream from Stirling, the river is rather narrow and can be crossed in numerous places. (Crossing used to be more difficult before the installation of modern drainage works, because the ground was often treacherously marshy near the riverbank.) However, after its confluence with the Teith and Allan, the river becomes wide enough that a substantial bridge is required. At Stirling, th…
Islands
Two islands (known as “inches”) lie in the meandering estuarine waters downstream from Stirling: Tullibody Inch, near Cambus, and Alloa Inch, near Alloa. Both islands are fairly small, and are uninhabited.
On film and TV
1. River Forth (1956): A silent, 15-minute, black-and-white film that includes scenes of animals being herded through the streets.
2. Britain's Lost Routes with Griff Rhys Jones (2012): Episode 3 explores the difficulties that cattle drovers might have encountered at Frew, shows cows being taken across the Auld Brig, and includes aerial shots.
Overview
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 as 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 i…
Background
Before the construction of the bridge, ferries were used to cross the Firth. In 1806, a pair of tunnels, one for each direction, was proposed, and in 1818 James Anderson produced a design for a three-span suspension bridge close to the site of the present one. Calling for approximately 2,500 tonnes (2,500 long tons; 2,800 short tons) of iron, Wilhelm Westhofen said of it "and this quantity [of iro…
Design
The bridge spans the Forth between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry and has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 m) with the double track elevated 150 feet (45.72 m) above the water level at high tide. It consists of two main spans of 1,700 feet (518.16 m), two side spans of 680 ft (207.3 m), and 15 approach spans of 168 ft (51.2 m). Each main span consists of two 680 ft (20…
Construction
The Bill for the construction of the bridge was passed on 19 May 1882 after an eight-day enquiry, the only objections being from rival railway companies. On 21 December, the contract was let to Sir Thomas Tancred, Mr. T. H. Falkiner and Mr. Joseph Philips, civil engineers and contractor, and Sir William Arrol & Co. Arrol was a self-made man, who had been apprenticed to a blacksmith at the a…
Later history
Before the opening of the Forth Bridge, the railway journey from London to Aberdeen had taken about 13 hours running from Euston and using the London and North Western Railway and Caledonian Railway on a west coast route. With competition opened up along the east coast route from the Great Northern, North Eastern and North British railways and starting from King's Cross, unofficial raci…
Operation
The bridge has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) for high-speed trains and diesel multiple units, 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) for ordinary passenger trains and 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) for freight trains. The route availability code is RA8, but freight trains above a certain size must not pass each other on the bridge. Up to 190–200 trains per day crossed the bridge in 2006.
In culture
The Forth Bridge has been featured in television programmes and films, including Carry On Regardless, Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film The 39 Steps, and its 1959 remake. A.G. Barr used the bridge in posters advertising its soft drink Irn-Bru, with the slogan: "Made in Scotland, from girders". In 2005, the BBC lit the Bridge in red for Comic Relief. Also in 2005, Channel 4 documentary Jump Britain showed Séb…
See also
• Banknotes of Scotland (featured on design)