Forth Bridges Tourism Hope

Forth Rail Bridge bosses hope all three crossings can become a major tourism attraction.

VisitScotland has a vision to enhance tourism for the Forth Bridge as it approaches its 125^th anniversary.

The "Forth Bridge Experience" is due to open in 2017,and officials want to see a greater focus on all three bridges as a destination for visitors.

Almost 20,000 people attended the Forth Bridges Festival. The event is to be repeated in 2015 to celebrate the railway bridge’s historic anniversary and continue to raise the profile of the three bridges and the surrounding areas to visitors from home and abroad.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said the Forth Bridge is "one of the most unique, awe-inspiring and authentic bridges in the world".

He said: "My grandfather used to drive a steam train over this stunning bridge and so it has a very special, personal place in my heart.

“With the opening of the Queensferry Crossing next year and the Forth Bridge Experience the following year in 2017, the eyes of the world will be on these spectacular bridges, one from every century.  

"We will be working with our partners to ensure tourism opportunities are grasped at every stage and the bridges and surrounding area achieve the potential they so rightly deserve”

Opened on 4 March 1890, the Forth Bridge is a Scottish icon that is internationally recognised, and is the world's first major steel structure.

The Forth Bridge represents a key milestone in the history of modern railway civil engineering. A full-scale restoration project to return the bridge to its original construction condition was completed in 2012 and a UNESCO World Heritage nomination was submitted in 2014.

David Dickson, Network Rail Route Managing Director said:

"We know from years of arranging industry tours and charity visits to the Forth Bridge that there is an enormous fascination both with the structure and the story of its construction and maintenance.  Our current proposal for visitor facilities has been developed to give people the chance to visit and learn about the bridge in a way which has never been possible before.

"Our research suggests that there is a strong interest from the domestic and international tourism market in visiting the bridge, however, we recognise that it needs to be delivered in a way which minimises the local impact.  This is a welcome endorsement from Visit Scotland and we look forward to taking our proposals forward over the coming months."