West of Edinburgh sits the small town of South Queensferry, where three bridges stack a century and a half of engineering side by side over the Firth of Forth. Together they connect the city to the Kingdom of Fife and form one of the most photographed skylines in Scotland.
The best views are from the South Queensferry waterfront, where you can watch trains cross the red cantilever rail bridge while boats run out to Inchcolm Island. The 17th-century high street behind has pubs and cafes, several with front-row seats on the water.
The Three Bridges Explained
The Forth Bridge, completed in 1890, is the oldest and still carries trains; its red steel cantilevers are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Forth Road Bridge, a 1964 suspension bridge, once carried all the traffic and is now reserved for buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians. The Queensferry Crossing, opened in 2017, is the tallest bridge in the UK and now takes all the car traffic.
Best Photo Spots & Boat Trips
For the classic three-bridge shot, walk east along the South Queensferry promenade or down onto Hawes Pier beneath the rail bridge. From the pier, Maid of the Forth boat trips run to Inchcolm Island and its medieval abbey, passing seals and seabirds along the way. North Queensferry, on the Fife side, gives a different angle looking back across the water.
Things to Do in South Queensferry
Beyond the bridges, the cobbled high street rewards an hour of wandering for its narrow closes, independent shops and waterfront pubs like the Hawes Inn, which features in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped. For the full list, see our guide to things to do in South Queensferry.
Practical Tips
- South Queensferry is about 30 minutes from central Edinburgh by car or train (Dalmeny station)
- Book Inchcolm Island boat trips ahead in summer; sailings depend on the tides
- The waterfront is exposed and windy even in summer, so bring a layer
- You can walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge for close-up views
- The bridges are floodlit after dark for night photography
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk across the Forth bridges?
You can walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge, which has paths on both sides. The rail bridge and the Queensferry Crossing are not open to pedestrians.
How do you get to South Queensferry from Edinburgh?
It is about 30 minutes by car, or take a train to Dalmeny station, a short walk from the waterfront. Many Edinburgh bus tours also stop here.
