Bridges To The Kingdom
As Fife is surrounded by water on three sides, there are a number of bridges into the Kingdom.
Mar 01, 20241.3K Shares131.1K Views
Of course with so much water around it, makes for some wonderful sea food dishes, and if you're along at the fishing villages of Pittenweem(home to the famous annual Art Festival), or Anstruther or Crail, you'll see the fishermen bringing in their catch. So whether you like oysters, mussels or just good traditional Fish and Chips in batter, you'll find it in Fife.
But there is one thing that may well come as a surprise to you, as it did to me. If you travelto the north east of Fife either to or from St Andrews, you might decide to go north over the Tay Bridge over the Firth of Tay. The estuary runs into the River Tay where a most unusual catch was found - a beautiful Scottishpearl.
However, going back to the Bridges - each Bridge tells a story and each one has its own majesty. For me - there is nothing quite like the Forth Rail Bridge. You can see it for miles around the coast and it is perhaps one of the greatest and majestic structures in the land. It took 7 years to construct and consists of 54,00 tons of steel held together by over 8,000,00 rivets!
However, you can also come into Fife from the west over the Kincardine Bridge, and as I've already said, to or from the north over the Tay Bridges.
Tay Bridge
Separating the Kingdom with Edinburgh and the south are the Forth Bridges. My own belief is that these are the ones that are seen as the Bridges to the Kingdom, and the Forth Rail Bridge with its amazing shape can be seen for miles around.
Forth Rail Bridge
Of course, for me, one beautiful sight if I have been out of Fife and on the way home at night is seeing the beautiful Rail Bridge against the sunset. I know it won't be long before I'll be home.
Forth Road Bridge At Night
However, for many people who commute to and from Edinburgh via the Bridges to the Kingdom, it can be a very frustrating experience. The road bridge can get very blocked at peak times and many people make use of the Park and Ride facility or take the train.
When the road bridge was build, I do not think the planners ever anticipated the volume of vehicles that would be on the road.
So the Authorities are now deciding where to put a new and alternative bridge and even a ferry crossing.
However, despite the congestion - the sight of the two bridges is still awesome. You can see them from Dunfermlineand from along the coast.
Of course you can come to Fife by going under the bridges. The following photograph was taken on the Superfast Ferry when my husband and I were travelling back home from a week in Paris, via Zeebrugge in Belgium.
You can see also the Bridges from "underneath" if you visit South Queensferry.
Going under the Bridges
See also the following:
- Maps and Weather- Find your way around and be prepared for the weather!
- Anstruther- Explore this lovely fishing village and treat yourself to some delicious Fish and Chips.
- Auchtermuchty- This lovely place (my home) is also home to a great Festival every year in August.
- Falkland- Let the enchanting Falkland Palace transport you back a few centuries. Go for a walk up the Lomond Hills and stop for a 'yummy' bit to eat in Falkland.
- Glenrothes- Visit this New Town with all its amazing modern sculptures, or pop into the Markinch Highland Games.
- Kirkcaldy- The 'Lang Toun', one of the largest towns in Fife.
- St. Andrews- The 'Home' of golf, and the oldest University in Scotland, wonderful beaches, and the history of St Andrew and the saltire.
- Pittenweem- Visit this scenic fishing village and home to Pittenweem Arts Festival.
- Dunfermline- The ancient capital of Scotland, a modern city, yet bulging with history of Kings and Queens, as well as the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie.
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