15 Most Impressive Bridges in Scotland To Visit
Scotland has many impressive bridges, from ultra-modern engineering marvels to centuries-old ancient pack-horse bridges. This post lists the most impressive bridges in Scotland to visit.
Scotland has over 200 bridges, from small (tiny) to massive. The bridges are either footpaths, designed for cars or for trains.
Make sure to tick off one of these bridges on your next trip to Scotland.
Forth Railway Bridge
The Forth Railway Bridge is Edinburgh’s own Golden Gate. This iconic cantilever connects South Queensferry to North Queensferry over the River Forth.
The magnificent structure is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The bridge is made from steel, granite and 6.5 million rivets. It is estimated around 190 to 200 trains a day pass over the bridge, with some 3 million passengers annually.
The Forth Rail Bridge opened officially on the 4th of March 1890 and was the UK’s first major structure to be comprised mostly of steel.
The bridge is difficult to maintain and it constantly needs repainting. As you as the workers finish at one end, it is almost time to begin painting from the other end.
My great, great, great grandfather fell off the bridge while painting the bridge in the early 20th century. Sadly, he passed away and his wife and 4 children moved to Dundee to look for work.
Nowadays, due to new painting techniques, the latest coat will last for 25 years ending the tradition of continual painting.
It is unsurprising that in 2016, the Forth Rail Bridge was voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder. There are now three bridges which cross the Firth Of Forth.
The Forth Road Bridge joined the rail bridge in 1964 and the Queensferry Crossing was completed in 2017.
The Forth Rail Bridge has inspired many, including artists, photographers and filmmakers. The bridge appears on £1 coins, £20 notes and the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.
Queensferry Crossing
The Queensferry Crossing is 2.7 kilometres long and is the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. Also, the crossing ig the highest bridge in the UK.
Queensferry Crossing was designed as a replacement for the Forth Road Bridge. There were structural issues discovered in the early 2000 and the bridge was proposed due to extremely unexpected high demand.
Queen Elizabeth II opened the Queensferry Crossing, exactly fifty-three years to the day that she opened the adjacent Forth Road Bridge.
Kylesku Bridge
Kylesku Bridge is a scenic bridge in the Sutherlands, Northern Highlands of Scotland. It is a popular and well-photographed point for those who are embarking on the North Coast 500.
In 1984, the bridge was built as a replacement for the ferry service which ran from Kylesku to Kylestrome. It carries the road between Scourie and Inchnadamph across the deep-sea entrance to Loch a’Chairn Bhaine.
The thin curved structure stands a sharp contrast with its scenic surroundings. Historic Environment Scotland has awarded the bridge Category A for historical significance due to its elegant architecture.
The design is simple yet stunning and is strong enough to hold up to strong Scottish winds that reach up to 100mph or more. Kylesku Bridge was renamed to a Scottish Gaelic phrase, Drochaid a’Chaolais Chumhaing in 2019.
The drone footage on this bridge is absolutely incredible. The best viewpoint of this bridge in from the XIIth Submarine Flotilla 50th Anniversary Memorial car park on the north side of the bridge.
Auld Brig o’Doon
The Brig O’Doon is located in Ayrshire, a stone’s throw away from Alloway. ‘Auld’ is a Scots word for old and ‘brig’ translates to bridge.
This medieval single-humped bridge dates back to the 15th century and the structure is renowned for playing a role in the last verse of Tam a’Shanter, one of Robert Burn’s famous Scottish poems.
In the poem, Tam finds a haunted church which features witches, warlocks and devils playing bagpipes. Tam escapes on his horse Meg and goes over the trusty Brig o’Doon.
As well as appearing in one of Rabbie Burn’s poems, this bridge is so famous that it is also on a Scottish £5 banknote. Also, it is thought that the bridge gave its name to the popular Lerner and Lowe musical ‘Brigadoon’, although, the village itself was purely fictional.
To get the best viewpoint of the Brig o’Doon, head to the bridge on the B7024, upstream from the Brig o’Doon.
Clachan Bridge
Clachan Bridge is located in the Isle of Seil, near Oban, in Argyll and Bute. The bridge has been standing strong since the early 18th century.
Clachan Bridge is a single arched masonry humped bridge which can accommodate large vessels, some as heavy as 40 tonnes. The Isle of Seil and this part of Argyll is known for its beautiful scenery.
The picturesque bridge passes over the Clachan Sound, a body of water that enters the Atlantic Ocean from both ends. This is why Clachan Bridge is also known as the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’
The bridge was built in 1792 by engineer Robert Mylne to the plans of local architect John Stevenson. The first building reached after crossing from the mainland is the historic Tigh an Truish Inn.
Interestingly, the name of the inn, translates from Scottish Gaelic to ‘House of Trousers’. The name dates back to 1745 during the Jacobite Uprising when the wearing of tartan and the kilt was banned.
Islanders would call into the inn to change from their tartan into trousers. The best viewpoint of the bridge is from the car park opposite Tigh an Truish.
Clyde Arc
The Clyde Arc is located on the River Clyde near the centre of Glasgow and M8 Kingston Bridge. This structure is described as a permanent rainbow over the Clyde due to its curvaceous design.
Interestingly, the Clyde Arc is one of the 21 bridges that cross the River Clyde. The metal feature connected the SEC campus to the north bank of the south’s media village.
Edmund Nuttal designed the bridge and the team from Halcrow and Gillespies engineered the project. The project was down as part of the regeneration of the Clyde waterfront.
The bridge is at an off-kilter angle and the locals refer to it as the ‘Squinty Bridge’. Clyde Arc has been a feature over the river since 2016 and was designed to last up to 120 years.
The best place to get a photograph is downstream at Bell’s Bridge. The bridge lits up well at night.
Skye Bridge
For decades the only way you could access the Isle of Skye was by ferry. The shortest crossing was from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin.
Vessels operated across the small crossing, However, they were unable to move fast enough for the demand of travellers leading to large tailbacks, especially in the summer.
In 1992, work began on building a road crossing. The first section of the crossing leads from Kyle of Lochalsh to the small island of Eilean Ban.
The second section spans 35 metres high and is a graceful single-span concrete arch. The best viewpoint is from The Plock.
Swilcan Bridge
This is the smallest bridge on the list but do not let that fool you. Swilcan Bridge is a small Roman bridge.
Swilcan Bridge is located on the Old Course at St Andrews Links golf course. More specifically, the tiny bridge passes over the Swilchan Burn which is located between the first and eighteenth fairways.
There are estimates that the bridge is more than 700 years old. Golf lovers and Golfing champions from near and far make pilgrimages to see this ancient bridge and pay their respects.
What was the need for this tiny bridge at such a peculiar location? Well, it is believed the bridge was constructed to allow shepherds to guide their sheep across the burn.
The best time to visit this bridge is on Sundays, golf is not played on Sundays at the Old Course.
Tay Road Bridge
The Tay Road Bridge passes over the River Tay between the city of Dundee and the Kingdom of Fife. As you cross the bridge from Fife you will be amazed by the view of Dundee lying on the Law Hill.
The Tay Road Bridge is 1.4 miles long, one of the longest bridges in Europe. Opened in 1966, the bridge replaces the old Tay Ferry.
While you are crossing the bridge you can see the new rail bridge which is further upstream, to the west. In 1879, disaster struck during a stormy night.
The old bridge collapsed during high winds and a train with passengers was taken with it. You can see the stumps in the River Tay from where the old bridge collapsed.
The second replacement bridge was completed in 1887 and still stands there today. The new bridge is made with iron, steel, concrete and 3 million rivets.
Brig o’Balgowrie
The Brig o’Balgowrie is considered the oldest bridge in Scotland. As legend says, work began at the end of the 13th century by Bishop Henry Cheyne and it was finished by Robert the Bruce.
The bridge was built using silver-grey granite, one of the things that Aberdeen is famous for. Brig o’Balgowrie as it stands today, crosses the River Don near Old Aberdeen and Seaton Park, dating back to the 17th century.
The bridge ceased to the major route in 1830, when the new Bridge of Don was built 500 yards (460 metres) downstream.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct is also known as the ‘Harry Potter Bridge’, the long structure is located at Glenfinnan at Loch Shiel in the West Highlands. This bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in Scotland.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is impressive, with over 21 arches extending over 1,000 feet (305 metres). Also, it is well known as it is the setting for where Hogwarts Express crosses the railway bridge in many of the Harry Potter movies.
The viaduct opened in 1901 and trains including the Jacobite Express on the West Highland Line will go over the bridge.
There is a great viewpoint for this bridge, you have to follow the Glenfinnan Trail from the Glenfinnan Viaduct car park. If you time things well, you can see the steam train pass over the bridge, making all your Harry Potter dreams come true.
Packhorse Bridge Carrbridge
The bridge is located at the village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park.
John Niccelstone was the original stonemason who built the original Carr Bridge in 1717. The bridge spans the River Dulnain.
The bridge was quickly nicknamed the ‘coffin bridge’ as its main purpose was to provide access for funeral parties who were going to Duthill Churchyard.
In 1797, a ‘new’ bridge was built, since then, a more modern structure has replaced this. In 1971, the bridge became a Category B listed Building.
Now, it is a popular tourist attraction.
Sligachan Old Bridge
Sligachan Old Bridge is located near Sligachan on the Isle of Skye. The bridge is located in one of the most wonderful backdrops in the whole of Scotland.
The Cuillin mountains in the background make a wonderful backdrop. Sligachan Old Bridge is crossed by many hikers and walkers who are aiming to explore the Cuillins or walk through the glen.
Sligachan Old Bridge was built between 1810 and 1818 by the famous engineer Thomas Telford. Three arches span the water that flows from the heart of the Cuillin mountains into Loch Sligachan.
Sligachan is an important site on the Isle of Skye, connecting the route from Dunvegan to Portree. Regular cattle marts were held here, in 1830 the Sligachan Hotel was built and has served travellers and walkers since.
The old bridge is a safe crossing for crossing over the water. Get your cameras out it is a magical sight.
According to legend, if you dip your face in the water for seven seconds, and let it dry naturally you will be granted eternal beauty.
What is the name of the famous bridge in Scotland?
The Forth Rail Bridge is a famous bridge in Scotland. This red iron railway bridge crosses the Firth of Forth from South Queensferry to North Queensferry.
This bridge is a UNESCO World heritage listed structure and was voted the greatest man-made wonder in Scotland, in 2016.
How many bridges are there in Scotland?
There are over 200 bridges in Scotland.
What are the three bridges in Scotland?
There are three bridges in Scotland that cross over the Firth of Forth. These bridges are the new Queensferry Crossing, the Forth Road Bridge and the Forth Rail Bridge.
These bridges can be viewed from planes on a clear day as you arrive in Edinburgh. The Forth Rail Bridge was opened in 1890 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964 and the Queensferry Crossing opened in 2017.
Final Note
This post lists the 15 most impressive bridges in Scotland. There are more than 200 bridges in Scotland.
Some of the bridges are for pedestrians only, others are for cars and there are a few which are railway bridges.
Also, some of Scotland’s most famous bridges have lasted centuries, meanwhile, there are a few bridges that are quite modern, for example, the Queensferry Crossing was built in 2017.