As I was walking back from Inverkeithing High Street I cam across this monument. The Mercat Cross…read morehas a unicorn standing proudly holding a shield with an St.Andrews flag on it. I did not know what this monument represented and when it was erected. After further reading I discovered that the monument was created in the fifteenth century and the head of the statue (the unicorn) was added later in the seventeenth century. Apart from that I could not find about why it was built in the first place, some mystery obviously surrounds this monument. However, even though I could not figure out all its history, it is still a truly remarkable piece of craftsmanship!

Before you go into the Rail Bridge Bistro, you are immediately confronted with a monument. The…read moremonument is situated upon a stone structure, with a small replica of the Forth Rail Bridge in its famous red colour. The monument is dedicated to those people who worked on the bridge, but also for those who died during the construction phase of the world renowned bridge. The monument, is not flamboyant, but rather conservative and I think it is an appropriate way to remember those who made this bridge and for those who sadly lost their lives. People go over the bridge without even taking a thought about those who were involved in making it, and once in a while in would be nice if we actually took the time to appreciate the efforts of those who built the Forth Rail Bridge!

Near half along the High Street in South Queensferry stands a stone monument on the land side of…read morethe street. The monument and surrounding garden is lightly set back from the main street. It is dedicated to the former Lord Provost of the town (1884 - 1899), John Reid. I don't know that much about the man and his achievements. However, he obviously was an important man due to this significant stone monument. The gardens take on a seaside look, with the gardens dominated by sandy coloured stone paths and shrubbery. Worth a visit, not every Lord Provost gets a monument!

The Forth Road Bridge is one of three bridges that crosses the River Forth which is a major river…read morein Scotland. We were able to get a fairly good look of this particular bridge when we visited the United Kingdom recently. Our cruise ship anchored close by, but it was closer to the Forth Rail Bridge. The Forth Road Bridge is one the world's longest suspension bridges. It may only be used by buses, cyclists, taxis, and pedestrians. It opened in 1964 so it is now 60 years old! The Forth Road Bridge along with the two other bridges nearby are all pretty sights to behold. They all serve different modes of transportation to cross over the Firth of Forth. Very cool!

The Forth Road Bridge is a pretty legendary piece of engineering, and forms an everlasting vision…read moreof Forth scenery in the minds of Scottish people, and the masses of tourists that flock to South Queensferry, to have a peek at both the Forth Road Bridge, and the also very impressive and historic rail bridge that sits alongside the road bridge. The Forth Road Bridge connects Edinburgh to Fife, and is used daily by a ton of people commuting to and fro. The steel clad suspension bridge, despite being built in the 60s, has always looked strikingly modern and ageless to me, and I remember being really young and and looking out of the car window at the gaps in the bridge where you can see down into the water, and feeling slightly terrified. If you're visiting the area, I would recommend chilling in pretty South Queensferry for a bit, and taking in the awesome views of both bridges from below, and then talking a walk along the road bridge and taking in the views of the Firth of Forth.

Hopetoun House in my view is the perfect venue and location for a number of reasons, musical…read moreevents, weddings, film location, sport and a variety of other festivals. Oh and not forgetting tours around the house and gardens. As volunteer for a year or two, I assisted in preserving the grounds ensuring visitors can appreciate the unique splendour of the nature trails, gardens and walks on the estate. In doing so I not only enjoyed time spent helping out, but found out more about this stately Georgian Home. If you mention top ten attractions to most folks in town, Hopetoun House will probably not feature in their list, it's like a forgotten treasure, lurking in the attic...you know it's there, but for some just out of reach? Hopetoun is in fact within the bounds of Edinburgh; just. If you get to South Queesferry. Pass under the Forth Road Bridge, follow the road ahead for around 2 miles and you will be on the estate. Once up a hill, the house belonging to the National Trust, will bestow it's grandeur on approach; you should not be disappointed! Nearer the house the route down the middle, is really for royalty, and roads to left and right are for all others! Two Scottish architects designed the House and not only has it been extended many times, is houses joined. The oldest part is the centre, this is where you enter, by ascending a wide stone staircase. Designed by William Bruce, the centre area interior designed between 1699 and 1707, includes some excellent wood carvings, paintings and ceiling paintings (especially at the top of the central staircase), and mementoes from historic royal visit. The add-on part, created from 1721 by William Adam adds the facade, colonnades and state apartments used to greet social events around the 18th century. There is even a rooftop view point where you can literally see, for miles down the east coast; unless it's foggy, then not so good? As you wander round the house(tours every few hours), imagine feasting your eyes on the grand ceiling frescos, state dining room, or yellow drawing room, just how grand life was for the "gentleman or lady of leisure" back a few hundred years ago. Another part of Hopetoun's pulling power are the fantastic gardens you can stroll over, in the heights of spring giving many opportunities for picnics and photos such as the Deer park, Spring garden, or swans in the fountain? Run by a charitable trust "1699" the house is still lived in today by the present Marquess of Linlithgow and his family, presently known as Lord & Lady Hopetoun; has opened his home to the rigours of year round events and tourists. The characters you meet within the house just add to the requirements of a great modern local attraction, one place that if you take photos at no-one will bother you! Close enough to the city, to be worthy of researching going there. You pay a fee to enter(go to the small shed in the car park), or the house. Then get educated at the Ranger centre, have afternoon tea in one of the many tea rooms, attend a lecture, or tour, visit the photographic studio, or Farm shop(organic foods here). But hurry it's open again soon... Hopetoun House, South Queensferry West Lothian Telephone: 0131 331 2451 Open (Normally) 1 April till 30 September. 10AM till last entry of 4.30PM

Inchgarvie is a small island which can be found just under the Forth Rail Bridge. I've always…read morenoticed the island every time I have gone past on the train and have always wondered about the story of the place. It takes its name from the Gaelic phrase meaning 'Rough Island'. During both the world wars, the island was used as a fortification with large guns being placed there to protect the entrance to the Firth from enemy boats etc. Nowadays the guns are no longer there and the island is mainly populated by sea gulls and other birds. Boat trips are available in the local area so you can see the island from a closer distance. An island lost in history.

During a recent cruise around the United Kingdom, our ship docked close to the Forth Bridge also…read moreknown as the Forth Rail Bridge. It is located about 9 miles west of central Edinsburgh We did not get to cross this pretty bridge, but we did go under it. From the ship to the shore, the tender boat we rode traveled under the bridge so we got a nice view of it from down under. Here are some facts about the bridge. Only trains may cross this iconic bridge. It was completed in 1890. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cool sight to behold!!

Awesome!!! Bridge…read more Crossed it. Didn't get a tee shirt. On the train. Didn't get to see much and it went quickly But I did it. Nothing spectacular other than to say I rode the bridge on a train. Bought tickets in advance so great price. Only 25£ for first class. But non refundable and costly to change.

I visited the House of the Binns 18/9/19;with a group of people from RNIB Scotland. I found it…read morevery fascinating to knew about the House of the Bins and the family that have stayed there. It was nice to learn more and to learn something new about it

Nice place for a short walk. Will be honest, haven't been inside the Palace but landscape is…read morebeautiful enough. Short woodland path leads us on the top of small local hill, where you are finding small observation tower. Despite the fact that tower's door are locked, we can not enter to inside, it's worth to go, place is peaceful and quiet and view is amazing.