Bridges in Edinburgh

Iconic Bridges and Aqueducts

This collection spans centuries of engineering across the Lothians, featuring the trio of iconic bridges over the Firth of Forth: the Victorian cantilever Forth Bridge, the suspension Forth Road Bridge, and the modern cable-stayed Queensferry Crossing. The list also includes 19th-century masonry aqueducts carrying the Union Canal, such as the Slateford and Almond structures, alongside historic stone crossings like the 15th-century Cramond Brig and the elegant St Bernard’s Bridge over the Water of Leith.

Iconic Bridges and Aqueducts — Map

George Gastin / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Forth Bridge

The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, 9 miles west of central Edinburgh.

Graham Mitchell / CC BY 2.0

B

The Scottish Parliament

Devolved legislature responsible for scrutinising the Scottish Government and passing laws on devolved matters. Notable for its modern architecture and political significance.

C

National Museum of Scotland

Major cultural institution featuring exhibits on natural history, Scottish history, Egyptian artifacts, and Celtic art. The building combines modern and Romanesque architecture and offers free admission and accessible facilities.

D

Scott Russell Aqueduct

The Scott Russell Aqueduct is an aqueduct carrying the Union Canal over the Edinburgh City Bypass, west of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Transport Guide / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Slateford Aqueduct

The Slateford Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Union Canal over the Water of Leith at Slateford, Edinburgh, Scotland.

F

Bonnington Aqueduct

The Bonnington Aqueduct is an aqueduct on the Union Canal, to the west of Edinburgh, Scotland.

G

Almond Aqueduct

The Almond Aqueduct, also known as the Lin's Mill Aqueduct, is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Union Canal over the River Almond in…

H

Forth Road Bridge

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland.

I

Forth Road Bridge

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland.

J

Forth Road Bridge

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland.

John / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Queensferry Crossing

The Queensferry Crossing is a road bridge in Scotland. It was built alongside the existing Forth Road Bridge and carries the M90 motorway…

John / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Queensferry Crossing

The Queensferry Crossing is a road bridge in Scotland. It was built alongside the existing Forth Road Bridge and carries the M90 motorway…

M

Broxburn Viaduct

A 19th-century railway viaduct with stone arches that carries the Edinburgh and Glasgow line over the River Almond.

N

Glenesk Viaduct

Mid-19th-century railway bridge featuring cast-iron arches. Originally built for the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway, it now forms part of a local cycle path.

O

Gilmerton Road

Heritage bridge carrying Gilmerton Road over the former route of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway.

P

Brunstane Road South

Traditional masonry bridge carrying Brunstane Road South over the East Coast Main Line railway.

Q

Slateford Viaduct

Eight-arch masonry railway viaduct built in the 1840s for the Caledonian Railway. It runs parallel to the Slateford Aqueduct over the Water of Leith.

R

Dell Road

Historic stone bridge crossing the Water of Leith within the wooded Colinton Dell area.

S

Cramond Brig

Historic masonry bridge spanning the River Almond, with origins dating back to the 15th century. It once served as the primary crossing on the road from Queensferry to Edinburgh.

T

Grotto Bridge

Ornamental 18th-century pedestrian bridge located on the Craigiehall estate, spanning the River Almond.

Owen Nightingale / CC-BY-SA

U

Stock Bridge

Stone arch bridge designed by James Garden and completed in 1801. It crosses the Water of Leith, linking the Stockbridge neighborhood with the city center.

Michal Vechter / CC-BY-SA

V

St Bernard's Bridge

Elegant 19th-century stone bridge crossing the Water of Leith near the Grecian-style St Bernard's Well, providing scenic views of the river valley.

W

Balerno Bridge

Local stone bridge crossing the Water of Leith in Balerno, historically vital for the village's former paper milling industry.

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