Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland
I suspect most of you will be puzzled by this upload and consider it a bit naff, but for me it marks a milestone. I've worked in the automotive and aerospace industries all of my career but these no longer excite me the way big architectural and construction projects do today. I'm fascinated by tall buildings and have visited many of the tallest buildings around the world, including the Twin Towers and Empire State in New York, Willis Tower in Chicago, CN Tower in Toronto and not forgetting the current record holder - the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to name a few.
My other interest is bridges, especially the iconic ones, which brings me nicely to this picture. If I was to say to you name the most recognisable and iconic bridges... how many would be in your list and could you name then?
This is my list, it's by no means complete but I think these are the standout five.
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney (1932) - not a unique design but as iconic as the Opera House and defines Sydney.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco (1937) - I'll argue this is the most iconic and instantly recognisable suspension bridge anywhere in the world and again defines the city.
Ponte Vecchio, Florence (1345) - if you like bridges this just has to be on the list... no arguments!
Tower Bridge, London (1894) - a true landmark and known throughout the world.
Finally...
Forth Rail Bridge, North/South Queensferry (1890) - not the first cantilever bridge in the world but when this was constructed, it was the biggest and today considered a symbol of Scotland.
I can now say I've either walked across, driven across, cycled across, sailed under and even flown low over them... and with this upload travelled across by train. It's my big five... let me know if you think I've missed some and why?
Tags: Forth Rail Bridge crossing train big five X bucket list icons iconic unique seen the lot what's next? Andy Rouse Canon EOS 5D MkIII EF17-40mm f/4L
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North Queensferry, Scotland
I promise this will be the last upload of the Forth Rail Bridge, at least for the time being but I thought this worthy of the upload for the history alone.
For the princely sum of £3.20 return you can cross the Forth Rail Bridge from Dalmeny to North Queensferry and wander down to the harbour to view the bridges from the other side. Here you will find the world's smallest working Light Tower, which sits on the Town Pier overlooking the majestic Forth Bridges.
Built in 1817 by Robert Stevenson as a key part of the Queensferry Passage across the Forth, this tiny part of Scottish maritime history has now been carefully restored to full working order. It reopened to the public in June 2010, when HRH The Princess Royal relit the lamp 120 years after it fell into disuse.
This tiny gem of a lighthouse is one of Scotland's unknown treasures
Tags: Forth Rail Bridge bridge Firth of Forth crossing train return ticket Dalmeny North Queensferry station harbour lighthouse light tower 1817 Robert Stevenson restoration reopened June 2010 Andy Rouse Canon EOS 5D MkIII EF24-105mm f/4L
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South Queensferry, Scotland
I'll say this for the weather, plan anything on a bank holiday and you've only yourself to blame. The Spring bank holiday weather duly delivered - grey, flat, drizzly with a featureless sky. However, we had a cunning plan and stayed for two nights. Taken the following evening from the lifeboat jetty, slightly later than my first attempts on account of a compulsory dessert in the Hawes Inn opposite the jetty - highly recommended for staying, eating and the odd drink!
Tags: Forth Rail Bridge Forth Road Bridge Queensferry Crossing bridges Firth of Forth South Queensferry jetty slipway lifeboat evening dusk sunset blue hour clouds lamps lights starbursts long exposure LE Lee filters ND grads Andy Rouse Canon EOS 5D MkIII EF17-40mm f/4L
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South Queensferry, Scotland
One advantage of a late setting sun... you still have time to dine first. After the disappointing bank holiday weather the following evening delivered. Plenty of time to find a location, setup, watch and wait. Even had the opportunity to move location and enjoy a long lingering blue hour afterwards.
Tags: Forth Rail Bridge Forth Road Bridge Queensferry Crossing bridges Firth of Forth South Queensferry evening sun sunset golden clouds warmth long exposure LE Lee filters ND grads Andy Rouse Canon EOS 5D MkIII EF17-40mm f/4L
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South Queensferry, Scotland
I'm in danger of posting a succession of black and white images, all of the Kelpies and not getting to the main event... the Forth Rail Bridge, which for me was the highlight of our trip over and against Edinburgh. I took that many "big" view shots of the bridge I don't know which to process or upload yet, so this is a little different and hopefully not so obviously. I must say South Queensferry is a fabulous little town and a worthy stopover and not forgetting a great place to view some engineering marvels.
Tags: South Queensferry town cobbles streets Forth Rail Bridge trains railways cantilever girders steel structure civil engineering Andy Rouse Canon EOS 5D MkIII
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