South Queensferry

My last day in Edinburgh - lunch  in South Queensferry, where the ferry used to travel across the Firth of Forth before they opened the the Forth Road Bridge in 1964. In the distance is the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge (rail only)

Interestingly the  rail Forth Bridge which opened in 1890 is still going strong and with regular maintenance, mainly painting to prevent rust Network Rail estimates it will keep going for another 100 years.   On the other hand the 1964 road bridge is suffering from major corrosion in its cables caused by the traffic volumes being  more than twice that planned for and a second road bridge being is being built. The new bridge - the Queensferry Crossing will open in 2016, if building goes to schedule. The old road bridge will be used for public transport only.

I do not usually post photos of people posing but this is a rare photo of both sons -  L-R  No2 son, his girl friend and No1 son at the point where the ferry used to come in.  The blue plaque reads:-
The Binks- Until about 1812, the natural jetty formed by the rocks was a regular landing place for the Queens Ferry, so named since Margaret, second wife of Malcolm Canmore King of Scots from 1058 to 1093 endowed ships for the free passage of pilgrims and the poor and hostels for them on either shore. It may be assumed that she used the ferry herself when going between Dunfermline and Edinburgh Castle