NORTH BERWICK & DUNBAR

On the way to our next stay, we passed through two wonderful towns that are well worth the stopover.

North Berwick & Dunbar

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St Andrew’s Church, Kirk Ports, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Category B Listed building and a National Monument.

St Andrew’s at Kirk Ports continued to be the main church in North Berwick, with renovations and extensions taking place for over two centuries. In the 19th century, a population boom caused by growing industry led to its space for 500 churchgoers to become insufficient. The town’s second St Andrew’s held its last service one year and two days short of the 220th anniversary of its inauguration, on June 3, 1883. The third St Andrew’s held its first services just a week later.

The current ruin status of the second kirk was partly by design, as it was decided that upon moving the religious services to the new church, this older one was to have its roof disassembled and the rest of the building stripped of the most valuable materials. The walls would be allowed to stand to become what it is now: a ‘picturesque ruin’.

View an information pamphlet here:


War Memorial, Cnr Quality Street and East Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Victorian Era Street Lamp, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Commemoration Tree, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:

This sycamore tree was planted by King Edward VII on October 10th 1902 to commemoration the Royal visit to North Berwick in the year of his coronation.


Street Sign, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

….and not a box of chocolates in sight….


The Lodge, Walltower House, East Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Originally Well Tower, named due to nearby (now covered) well.


The Ship Inn, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Zitto Wine Bar & Restaurant, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


No. 12, Hotel & Bistro, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Former Blackadder Free Church, Cnr Forth Street & Victoria Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

This is now a Baptist church

Information on John Blackadder here:


St Andrew Blackadder Church, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Bronze Church Bell, St Andrew Blackadder Church, St Andrew Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The bell dates to 1642


County Police Station Sign, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Pink, Police Station Flower Pots, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Dog’s Head Door Knocker, 74 High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Street Sign, Kirk Ports, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


West Bay, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Bass Rock, Canty Bay, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The rock is uninhabited, but historically has been settled by an early Christian hermit, and later was the site of an important castle, which after the Commonwealth period was used as a prison. The island belongs to Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, whose family acquired it in 1706, and before to the Lauder family for almost six centuries. The Bass Rock Lighthouse was constructed on the rock in 1902, and the remains of an ancient chapel survive.


Craigleith, Firth of Forth, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Craigleith is part of a chain of four islands near North Berwick, along with Bass Rock, Fidra and the Lamb. Of these, it is the closest to the town’s harbour.


North Berwick across Milsey Bay, Haugh Road Beach, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Former Dunbar Tolbooth, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The first municipal building in Dunbar was a tolbooth which dated back at least to the first half of the 16th century. After it became dilapidated, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style with harled rubble masonry from a quarry at Innerwick to create the current structure which was completed in 1593.

Used as a council chamber and as a courthouse. It was the venue for the trials and convictions of some 73 women accused of witchcraft, for which the penalty was execution by strangulation and burning.


Mercat Cross, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The charter of 1370 by David II King of Scots establishing Dunbar as a burgh of barony required, among other things, the erection of a “public mercat cross”, to be the location of a weekly market. “[Mercat” – Scottish version of “Market”.]

The cross that stands in front of Dunbar Town House is not the original one. It was placed there in 1912 when it was assembled from fragments of different dates, the ashlar octagonal shaft then being thought to have been part of the historic cross. Research into its’ history continues, but present evidence suggests it can best be described as being representative of a possible succession of crosses that stood in the High Street from 1370 to the mid-18th century.


Statue Dedicated to John Muir, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

A romanticized Peter Pan-like statue of world famous conservationist John Muir born in Dunbar 1838, then emigrated to the USA in 1849.  Muir became a naturalist and founded the National Parks in the States, beginning with Yosemite, California. Further details from John Muir’s Birthplace museum, 128 High Street. In October 1997, the bronze statue was unveiled by Magnus Magnusson, inquisitor of the television quiz Mastermind.

Sculptor Valentin Znoba (1929-2006)was born in the Ukraine. Studied at Ukraine Institute of Fine Art between 1947 and 1953. Participated in many exhibitions in Europe, the UK and elsewhere. Between 1995 and 1997, Znoba executed several other works in Scotland, notably Freedom – a  bronze of Sir William   Wallace astride a rearing  horse now in the   possession of Abertay University, Dundee


Pub Sign, The Eagle Inn, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Black Bull Close, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK


Eyemouth Beach, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK



KIRKCALDY, FIFE, SCOTLAND

Our last day at South Queensferry, we made sure we took the train across the famous Forth Rail Bridge (and back) and then drove to Kirkcaldy in Fife, the long way around by driving to the Kincardine Bridge. We returned via the newer Queensferry Crossing Bridge so have now crossed all three Forth bridges.


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Remembrance Monument, The Rail Bridge Bistro, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:-
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND BOYS WHO WORKED ON THE FORTH RAIL BRIDGE AND THOSE WHO DIED DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION


Train from Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh-Aberdeen Line, Dalmeny, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Forth Road Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Train Emerging from Tunnel, Fife Circle Line, North Queensferry Railway Station, Fife, Scotland UK


Tanker Berthed, Hound Point Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Former Coast Guard Quarters, Battery Road, North Queensferry, Fife, Scotland UK

Former accommodation of married Coast Guard officers, patrolmen and their families. The property was effected as a result of the Forth Bridge Railway Act of 1873, which gave the Company the right to acquire the old Coast Guard Station to make way for the building of the then new Forth Bridge. However, the Company was obliged to construct suitable new Coast Guard buildings to the satisfaction of the Admiralty. It was as late as 1911 before the site was disponed to the Admiralty by the Bridge Company, the site being occupied between 1873-1911 under the terms of the Act. In 1899 the Royal Navy took over an area of the site and formed a gun battery which was used during the First World War. Prior to this, the six cottages were built between 1882 and 1883 as a Coast Guard Station and these consisted of an officer’s house, five cottages and a Watch House, also known as High Battery (formally to E of cottages). The present signal station tower was erected around 1917 and it was at this time that the Coast Guard Station was dis-used. The cottages were used between the Wars to accommodate the Forth River Pilots. It is understood that there were no gun emplacements on the site during the Second World War. The existing external WCs became redundant and are now used as stores.


Inchgarvie, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Uninhabited now but was inhabited at various periods going back to late 15th century. The place has quite an interesting history that can be read here;


Betty Nicols, 297 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Historical documentation for the property dates back to 1741 for a hostelry on the site and the pub as it is now was built as an exact replica of the original in 1902 with a plaque on the outside of the building confirming this.
The pub has a reputation for ghosts and there have been several visits from psychics and the Scottish Paranormal Society, who have found activity in all parts of the pub. In particular the cellar area, which is part of the original building and is reputed to be built on a monks’ cemetery, has a strange atmosphere and presence and the lounge area is said to be haunted by a man and dog. The cellar area, where the outlook was to the sea, contains a blocked up tunnel which is believed to have been used by smugglers in bygone years and during the Second World War Polish airmen were billeted in the cellar area.


Former King’s Theatre, 262 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Masonic Hall, West Quality Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription above door:-

“MASONIC HALL. PRESENTED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL OF ROSSLYN 1890”
A church from 1845 and a Masonic Hall from 1890.


Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Built in 1576 and seriously damaged by Cromwell’s troops storing munitions that caused an explosion in 1651. Extensively restored in 2009.
Category A Listed Building.

Image 1     *****     Image 2     *****     Image 3

Steps, Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription in pavement:

“The Royal Burgh of Dysart’s mercat cross stood near to this spot”

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Formerly The Mechanics Institute, 54-56 High Street, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Baxters was a pub but is now permanently closed.


Coat of Arms, The Mechanics Institute, High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

” Sigil. de Dysert.” The “General Armory,” however, blazons this as a coat-of arms, with the field argent and the tree proper.

The Pineapple emblem may be associated with William of Wallace.


Coastal View to West Wemyss, The Walk, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Saipem 7000 & Fidra Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Oil Platform, Firth of Forth, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


“The Walk”, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


St Serf’s Church Tower, Shore Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s is a 6 storey church tower dating to around 1500. St Serf’s church was abandoned in 1802 and demolished in 1807 and only the tower and cemetery remains now.


Erosion Defences, Beach Front, Pan Ha’, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Oil Rigs, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Boat on a Slip, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Stone Breakwater, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Stone Breakwater & Slipway, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Derelict Harbourside Building, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Harbourmaster’s House, Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Now operates as a Café


Lamp, Car Park, Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK



INCHCOLM ABBEY RUINS

If you are in this part of the world then a visit to this historic site is well worth while.

Inchcolm Abbey is a medieval abbey located on the island of Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century. Later tradition placed it even earlier, in the reign of King Alexander I of Scotland (1107–24), who had taken shelter on Incholm when his ship was forced ashore during a storm in 1123. It is said he resided there for three days with the Hermit of Incholm.

The Abbey was first used as a priory by Augustinian canons regular, becoming a full abbey in 1235. The island was attacked by the English from 1296 onwards, and the Abbey was abandoned after the Scottish Reformation in 1560. It has since been used for defensive purposes, as it is situated in a strategically important position in the middle of the Firth of Forth.

Inchcolm Abbey has the most complete surviving remains of any Scottish monastic house. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house, and refectory are all complete, and most of the remaining claustral buildings survive in a largely complete state. The least well-preserved part of the complex is the monastic church.

In July 1581 stones from the abbey were taken to Edinburgh to repair the Tolbooth


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Inchcolm Abbey Ruins, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK



 

INCHCOLM ISLAND VISIT

A day outing while in South Queensferry is to take the tour boat from Hawes Pier (right outside our hotel) to Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth.

The island has been the subject of raids by the British during Scotland Wars of Independence and more recently fortified as defence for Edinburgh in both World Wars. This post covers the trip to and from the island and a view of some of the defensive positions.


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Tugboats, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

These tugs service the shipping attending the nearby “Hound Point” oil facility.

Corringham     (top)      Hopetoun     (bottom)


Hound Point Oil Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Hound Point is a marine terminal off a rocky headland of that name on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Scotland, just east of the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry. Built by BP and opened in 1975, it is owned and operated by Ineos as an oil-export terminal for North Sea oil and is the largest such facility in Scotland. It is supposedly named for the legend of a hound who howled after its master died in the crusades.


Hound Point Oil Terminal & Forth Rail Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Gnome Rock, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Old Dock, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Bay, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Towards Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Rock Strewn Beach, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Rocky Hillside, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Pathway to Wartime Defence Positions, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Tunnel Remains, Middle Defences, Inchcolm, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Wartime Fortifications, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Seals, Navigation Buoy 17, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Below the Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Queensferry Crossing      Forth Road Bridge     Forth Rail Bridge


Queensferry Crossing Bridge, Firth of Forth, Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

This is the second road bridge to cross The Firth of Forth and was opened in 2017.


Forth Road Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland. The bridge opened in 1964 and at the time was the longest suspension bridge in the world outside the United States. The bridge spans the Firth of Forth, connecting Edinburgh, at South Queensferry, to Fife, at North Queensferry. It replaced a centuries-old ferry service to carry vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians across the Forth; railway crossings are made by the nearby Forth Bridge, opened in 1890.


Forth Rail Bridge Pylon, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Coloured                                            Black & White


SOUTH QUEENSFERRY

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Firth of Forth Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The “Forth Rail Bridge” on the right, was opened in 1890 and is a UNESCO Wold Heritage site. The “Forth Road Bridge” the central bridge was opened 1963 and the newest bridge is “Queensferry Crossing” which opened in 2017 and is on the far left.

South Queensferry Lighthouse, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A category B listed building since 1971, it was built by the Scottish civil engineer John Rennie in 1812, probably in collaboration with Robert Stevenson of Bell Rock fame, and is contemporary with the pier itself (also a Rennie work). It was a beacon to guide the ferry which operated between Hawes Pier and North Queensferry before being made redundant by the construction of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964.

Rusted Mooring Ring, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Hawes Pier, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The pier was also constructed by Rennie in 1812.

Old Roadside Marker, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Former ‘Seals Craig Hotel‘, 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Doors of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Brass Plate, Vennel Kirk, The Vennel, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The church has now been converted to a private residence.


Masonic Lodge & South Queensferry Mosaic Mural, The Vennel & Hawthorn Bank, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The first school in Queensferry was at the top end of the churchyard of the Old Parish Church in the Vennel. In July 1671, it was decided to build a school using local stonework, at the south end of churchyard. The school was ready for occupancy in 1672 and still stands today as the Masonic Lodge.

Residential Block, Brewery Close, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Jubliee Clock Tower from The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian. Scotland UK



“Loan House”, 10 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category B Listed Building
The property fell vacant in the later 20th century and was gutted by fire in 1987. In 1990 the building was restored, with the addition of a north wing, by Douglas Abrahams and Partners for use as offices. As a result of the fire the original interior was lost and the interior of the building had to be rebuilt. Now Scottish Motor Trading Association Offices.

“Priory Lodge”, 8 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category c Listed Building – 19th century gothic. This house is the only example of this style in the town centre.

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plate – The National Trust for Scotland

Door – Marriage Lintel

The inscription above the door reads :-

[SPES MEA CHRISTUS, ‘Christ is my Hope’, and an anchor which indicates the occupation of the owner of the house. SW-AP were carved in relief with the year of the building, 1641.]

C.1641 – See its history here!


Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Now a grade A listed building, the Priory Church is the only Carmelite foundation in the British Isles still in use for regular worship, out of the 12 founded in Scotland and the 39 in England.
George, the Laird of Dundas, invited the Carmelite Friars to come and settle in Queensferry around 1330. They were in temporary buildings until a century later. Architectural style suggests this was built no earlier than 1457.

Door Knocker, Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


“1884”, Rose Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information to identify this symbol. It does look like what may have been an early Masonic Symbol.

Bellstane Bird, Bellstane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bellstane takes its name from the ringing of the bell which was rung to tell people the market was about to start. The actual bell is now in Queensferry museum.


Harbour Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bay View, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Forth Rail Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Slipway, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Dedication Plaque, Rosebery Hall, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:- In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

Waterside Residential, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

Scrolls, “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The upper floor of Black Castle has 3 sets of windows, each with carvings and scroll details. The eaves above two of the dormer windows bear the date of construction (1626), along with Lowrie’s and Speddie’s initials. (WL – MS)

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Well Head, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A site where locals were able to draw water

Door Steps, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Belhaven Sign, Anchor Inn, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Interior scenes of Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Weihenstephan”, Orocco Pier Hotel, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

ARRIVED AT SOUTH QUEENSFERRY, SCOTLAND

We reached our destination of The Hawes Inn under the famous Forth Rail Bridge, late afternoon and immediately went walking about. We spent a couple of hours here back in 2016 on a previous trip and were keen to take a better look over the place.

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 The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Formerly known as the Newhalls Inn, this is a category ‘B’ listed building with several additions and alterations over the years. It was certainly renamed the ‘Hawes Inn’ by 1886. In fact evidence shows that in the book “Duncan’s Itinerary of Scotland 1820” it is listed as “The Hawes Inn” then.
​The Hawes Inn, 7 Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, is a late 17th century Coaching Inn, with a date stone [Marriage Lintel] on the south east wall which says JS- 1638- BB, taken from the old house, Newhalls (no information on the ‘old house’ as yet). These initials are believed to be merchant John Smith, and his wife Bessie Bathgate. During the eighteenth-century, the inn was used as a change house for stagecoaches using the Newhalls Ferry and the adjacent ‘Hawes Garage’ used to be the stables and coach-house.

Rear of The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn & Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Stone Window Frame [1893], The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Pub Sign, The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn Sign at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
      Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and it was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Duke of Rothesay, the future Edward VII. The bridge carries the Edinburgh–Aberdeen line across the Forth between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry and has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 m). When it opened it had the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world, until 1919 when the Quebec Bridge in Canada was completed. It continues to be the world’s second-longest single cantilever span, with a span of 1,709 feet (521 m). Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland (having been voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge (to distinguish it from the adjacent Forth Road Bridge), although this is not its official name.

Award Plaques, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

 Stone Pylons, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 Forth Road Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The bridge in the foreground is the oldest opening in 1964 and the background bridge opened in 2017. It is a  1.7 miles (2.7km) structure & the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is also by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span. When we passed here in 2016 it was still under construction.

  “Thirty Knots” Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 The Ferry Tap, 36 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The building was erected in 1683 states the plaque on the wall and was originally a house. When it became an ‘Inn’ is unknown so far. There is no mention of it in the early census information for Queensferry. The first information found is in the 1881 census, when, as a hotel, it was named the ‘Prince of Wales’ until pre March 1890. When the future King Edward VII opened the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge in March 1890, the hotel’s name was changed to ​‘The Forth Bridge Hotel’. The Hotel suffered a fire in 1907 and it had to be rebuilt. Jessie Mackenzie was proprietor at this time. There was another fire in 1976, remembered by locals, and it was closed for a while. The new owner, Neil Waterman re-opened it as a public house with the rooms upstairs converted into flats.
Later it was renamed ‘The Forth Bridges’ and with another later name change it became ‘The Ferry Tap’.

Anchor Inn, 10 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

It is believed to be the oldest “Pub” in Queensferry (not being a “hotel”), and is definitely the smallest ‘pub’ in Queensferry, a traditional village pub.

 “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Buildings in East Terrace, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

East Terrace is a roadway above the Edinburgh Road. The steps seen above lead to it.

Edinburgh Road to Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Doorway of Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “C” Listed Building. c.1870

Orocco Pier Bar & Restaurant, 17 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

South Queensferry Tollbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

History of this building:   The building incorporates The Jubilee Clock Tower & Roseberry Hall.

Stone Steps, Tolbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

This another property with a history. Unfortunately I did not photography the great Marriage on the doorway but see it here in Google Street View.

History is here:

See also:   Image 1 … & …   Image 2

Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

"Craig View", 5 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Old Street Sign, Newhalls Road-Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK