Firth of Forth and South Queensferry

Bus tour from Edinburgh to south Queensferry where we got on a little boat to take us on wonderful tour of the Firth of Forth. Firth actually comes from the Scandinavian word fjord meaning mouth or estuary of the river which was formed by a glacier.  Opened in 1890 and spanning over 8000 feet it was the largest cantilever bridge in the world.  It moved to second spot in 1917. 63 men lost their lives there.   

We stopped but didn't disembark at Ichcolm island where there was a little old abbey. The army also used to store munitions during the second world war here.  It is now a popular wedding destination, and just happened to be one today, lots of kilts. North sea oil has a pipeline to the coast where freighters come for their oil.   They invented a new paint for it which is called forth bridge red and lasts twenty years.  

We saw seals/silkies on buoys and mini puffins on the islands not to mention hundreds of seagulls. After the boat we decided to head to the town for lunch.  The recommendation was to go to the Boathouse for lunch.  We walked downstairs in this old building with modern style and there was a gigantic picture window with an unbelievable view of the bridge.  They had painted the walls white with a wooden frame so the bridge was the centre of everything. And to top it off the food was fantastic. I had a broccoli soup with bruschetta and Deni had a seafood salad with oyster mussels, salmon, freshwater shrimp and pickled herring When we left the restaurant all these men were walking towards us with either kilts on our tartan pants and the girls were dressed beautifully.  So needless to say I had to ask and they had been at a wedding out at the old abbey and were heading to the reception.  They looked so beautiful. 

 The town itself is a definite must visit on the way to st Andrews  next year. Cobbled streets very narrow roads, right on the firth with great views of the bridge.