North Queensferry
Forth Bridge
When it was first constructed, the Forth Bridge was regarded as the eighth wonder of the world, and is a structure every bit as spectacular and remarkable as the Eiffel Tower. It has an overall length of 8,295 feet and the towers reach a height of 361ft. The total cost came to £3.2m, and construction involved the use of over 54,000 tons of steel and 6.5 million rivets. It takes about three years to cover the 135 acre steel surface with 17 tons of paint.
During the seven years of construction, 4,000 men were employed, of whom 57 were killed in accidents. 8 more men were saved by safety boats positioned in the river under the working areas.
Forth Road Bridge
Construction on the Forth Road Bridge began in 1958, was opened by the Queen in 1964 and is 36 feet shorter than its rail bridge neighbour. The bridge used some 39,000 tons of steel (about two thirds the amount used in the rail bridge), not counting the 30,800 miles of wire, weighing 7,900 tons, in the suspension cables. On fine days, walking across the bridge to North Queensferry is a popular family pursuit.
Forth Bridges Exhibition & View Point
Queensferry Lodge Hotel, North Queensferry KY11 1HP
Tel: 0131 225 6741
Open all year. Free admission
The Forth Bridges are two of the UK’s most spectacular engineering feats, and the exhibition tells the fascinating story of these famous bridges by means of drawings, models and artefacts. Then take a short walk to get the best view of the bridges at the viewpoint close by.
Old Ferry Pier and Lighthouse
A remnant of days gone by is the small hexagonal lighthouse, restored to its former glory, standing by the old ferry pier. The pier is unusual in its construction consisting of large stone blocks fixed together with key-stones. Ferryboats operated until 1964, when the Forth Road Bridge opened.
Chapel of St James
North Queensferry’s oldest existing building is a 14th century ruined chapel, the Chapel of St James the Apostle, the Patron Saint of Pilgrims. Founded by Robert the Bruce and controlled by Dunfermline Abbey, it was abandoned following the Reformation. Many sailors, drowned during storms on the Forth, are buried here and some of the inscriptions are very appropriate for a sea-faring village.
Main Street
At the far end of Main Street is the Waterloo Memorial, a bell-shaped stone gable with a carving of a ship at anchor dated 1816. This was the watering stop for horses in the days of stagecoach travel, although the old stone trough has since been moved to the nearby war memorial. Behind the Waterloo Memorial is the Waterloo Well, a Victorian iron water pump decorated on top with a lion’s head. Water was a particularly valuable commodity in the village as there was only one well and water had to be conserved. Inset into the wall behind is a cast iron door with carvings of an arguing sailor and fishwife. Cattlemen and sailors needed fresh water and the fishwives had little hesitation in using their gutting knives to protect their water supply.
Waterloo Memorial and Well
At the far end of Main Street is the Waterloo Memorial, a bell-shaped stone gable with a carving of a ship at anchor dated 1816. This was the watering stop for horses in the days of stagecoach travel, although the old stone trough has since been moved to the nearby war memorial. Behind the Waterloo Memorial is the Waterloo Well, a Victorian iron water pump decorated on top with a lion’s head. Water was a particularly valuable commodity in the village as there was only one well and water had to be conserved. Inset into the wall behind is a cast iron door with carvings of an arguing sailor and fishwife. Cattlemen and sailors needed fresh water and the fishwives had little hesitation in using their gutting knives to protect their water supply.
