New Forth Bridges Trail

Today (29 November) a new visitor trail showcasing Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridges and the distinctive historic communities of North and South Queensferry has been launched.

The Forth Bridges Trail, a five-mile circular route brings together 16 points of interest in North and South Queensferry and along the Forth Road Bridge offering historical facts, local tales and folklore and panoramic views of the three Bridges and the Firth of the Forth.

Developed by the Forth Bridges Tourism Group, the trail has been designed to encourage visitors to explore the area further, on both sides of the Forth, and support the area’s year-round tourism businesses which include boat trips, outdoor activities, visitor attractions, cafes and restaurants, independent retailers and accommodation providers.

What's included in the trail?

Stops on the trail include

• Battery Road in North Queensferry remembering The Briggers, the men and boys who constructed the Forth Bridge
• The Forth Road Bridge’s iconic towers with views from the walkway over Port Edgar to the west and the Forth Bridge to the east
• Hawes in South Queensferry opposite the Hawes Inn featured in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped
• The Binks in South Queensferry, a natural rock jetty used by Queen Margaret in the 11th century to cross the Firth of Forth and where the name Queensferry originates

Supporting Scotland’s ambitions to be a world-leading responsible destination, the trail is accessible by foot, bike and public transport, including train stations at North Queensferry and Dalmeny.

Signs marking points of interest along trail have been designed to reflect the famous red steelwork of the original Forth Bridge, awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2015. The panels feature illustrated maps, images and stories on the history of the Bridges, the Firth of Forth, and communities of North and South Queensferry in collaboration with local history and heritage groups. Each panel has a QR codes linking to further information on the Forth Bridges website.

Visit the Forth Bridges website for more information on the trail.

The launch of the trail with Scotland’s Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister, Ivan McKee officially launched the trail at the Port Edgar Marina in South Queensferry with representatives from local tourism businesses.

Find out more about the trail

To supporting the launch of the Forth Bridges Trail, the Forth Bridges website has been redeveloped by Transport Scotland. New content includes the best places to view the Bridges, opportunities for cycling and walking across the Forth Road Bridge and recommendations of things to do in North and South Queensferry and the wider area. A new visitor video has been created and there is dedicated activity on the Forth Bridges social media channels.

Visit the Forth Bridges website for more information on the trail.

About the Forth Bridges Tourism Group

The Forth Bridges Tourism Group was established in 2019 and is responsible for delivering the Forth Bridges Area Tourism Strategy, a 10-year plan endorsed by the Scottish Government to create a sustainable and high-quality visitor destination across the Firth of Forth. Core membership of the group includes City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council, West Lothian Council, Network Rail, Transport Scotland, VisitScotland and Historic Environment Scotland.