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BEAR Scotland to offer free guided bridge tours on Saturday 23 September
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Charity raffle to visit Queensferry Crossing tower top
BEAR Scotland is to offer free guided minibus tours of the Forth Road Bridge on Saturday 23 September as part of Doors Open Day, together with the chance to win a trip to the top of the Queensferry Crossing.
The announcement follows the success of last year’s Doors Open Day event, which attracted over 400 visitors to the Forth Road Bridge and raised over £2,000 for charity.
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival celebrating heritage and the built environment. It offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country each September.
Guided minibus tours will depart from the bridge office every 15 minutes on 23 September. 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, Transport Scotland’s operating company for the Forth Road Bridge.
There will be no charge for the tours, however donations to charity will be welcomed. All money raised at the event will go to BEAR Scotland’s national charity partner Alzheimer Scotland.
Bookings for the tours will open to the public in late August, with places allocated on a first come first served basis. Details of how to apply will be announced at that time.
Everyone who attends the open day will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to the top of one of the Queensferry Crossing’s main towers, rising over 200 metres above the Forth.
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.
Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland’s Operating Company Representative for South East Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome visitors back to the Forth Road Bridge on Doors Open Day after the success of last year’s event.
“Our guided minibus tours will give the public a rare chance to visit parts of this famous bridge normally hidden from view, and to hear from experienced members of staff who have worked on the structure for many years.
“We’re also pleased to be raising money for a great cause in Alzheimer Scotland. Everyone who attends on the day will have the chance to enter a charity raffle to experience the incredible view from the top of the Queensferry Crossing.
“The exhibition in the Contact and Education Centre will also be open – so please put the date in your diaries and come along on Saturday 23 September to find out more about all three of these amazing bridges.”