Forth Road Bridge Doors Open Day

BALLOT NOW CLOSED

Applications are now being taken for free guided tours of the Forth Road Bridge deck and anchorage, hosted by Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland.

The tours will take place on Saturday 28 September as part of Doors Open Days, Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories. Up to 300 places will be available, allocated via a random ballot.

Members of the public can enter the ballot by visiting www.bearscot.com/doorsopenday. The ballot will close on 1 August and successful applicants will be notified over the following days.

Guided minibus tours will depart every 15 minutes on 28 September from the bridge office in South Queensferry. Tours will last one hour, stopping at points of interest along the deck before visiting one of the anchorage chambers on the north side of the bridge, where the main cables are anchored into the rock. Commentary will be provided by experienced members of staff from BEAR Scotland.

There will be no charge for the tours, however donations to charity will be welcomed. All money raised will go to BEAR Scotland’s national charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Forth Bridges exhibition at Transport Scotland’s Contact and Education Centre will also be open to the public from 9am until 5pm, featuring special exhibits and educational activities. Advance booking is not necessary for the exhibition, or to take a walk across the bridge.

Everyone who attends either a bridge tour or the exhibition will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to the top of the Queensferry Crossing’s main towers.

The minibus tours are in addition to 60 tower top trips that will take place to celebrate the bridge’s 60^th anniversary – details of how to apply for these will be published over the next few weeks.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland’s Operating Company Representative for South East Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to welcome visitors back to the Forth Road Bridge on Doors Open Day for the third year running, and to be raising money for a great cause in Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Our guided minibus tours give the public a rare chance to visit parts of the bridge normally hidden from view, and to hear from experienced members of staff.

“In response to feedback, we’re allocating places this year via a random ballot to give everyone an equal chance.

“Look out in local media over the next few weeks for other exciting events to celebrate the Forth Road Bridge’s 60^th anniversary, including a competition for tower top trips.”