Scotland’s Best Bridges (Architectural, Historical & Scenic)

May 4, 2026

Coming up: fog, photos, viewpoints, viaducts, places you’ve heard of, places you haven’t, some under-the-radar adventures, lots of surprising history, an unexpected golf course, and Scotland’s 14 best bridges.

We all know the things Scotland is famous for:

… but the place is ALSO home to some pretty impressive bridges*.

(*some of them storied, some of them historic, and some of them big architectural feats of wonder)

They’re dotted all over the country. Some are tiny, some are massive, and the best of them are super impressive (but finding them can be hard unless you know how—and, good news: we know how!) 🌉

… so, in this guide, Travelness is bringing you the best of them: here are Scotland’s 14 best bridges!

Forth Railway Bridge (officially just called ‘The Forth Bridge’)

Where it is: very close to Edinburgh

Why you’ll like it: cos it’s massive and famous and UNESCO-listed

The Firth of Forth is an estuary sitting between Edinburgh and Dunfermline.

It starts in the sea, and becomes thinner and thinner as it heads inland and west, transforming into what is essentially a river 🚣

Anyway, just west of Edinburgh, there are three big famous bridges heading north, over the Firth of Forth, and to North Queensferry. The other two are coming up next… but the Forth Railway Bridge is the most famous and iconic of the three.

🚂 Absolutely huge, it carries 200 trains a day, and measures in at around 2.5km (1.5 miles). It’s an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once the biggest bridge of its type, and was the “world’s first major steel structure.” Completed in 1890, it was a massive Victorian engineering triumph.

Fun Fact: The Scottish saying ‘it’s like painting the Forth Bridge’ is (obviously) inspired by this place. The saying refers to any task that is endless—because, for a long time, a team of 50 people were tasked with constantly painting and repainting the bridge. A full repaint took three years… and as soon as the repaint job was finished, a new repaint job would immediately begin 🤯

Forth Road Bridge

Where it is: just west of the Forth Railway Bridge

Why you’ll like it: cos it gives you the best views of the Forth Railway Bridge

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travelology 101 (@officialtravelology101)

Like I said, there are three bridges crossing over the Firth of Forth 🥾

…ánd this is the one sitting directly west of the Forth Railway Bridge.

A designated ‘Public Transport Corridor’, it’s only for buses, taxis, walkers, and cyclists. So, if you want to go for a walk (or run or bike ride) while looking at the Forth Bridge Railway, the Forth Road Bridge is your best option 👍

Queensferry Crossing

Where it is: west of the Forth Road Bridge

Why you’ll like it: cos you’re in a car and you need to cross the Firth of Forth

And now we have the final bridge of the three Firth of Forth bridges.

🚘 It’s also the newest of the three, finished in 2017. It’s for cars (and only for cars), and is part of the M90 motorway.

Fun Fact: (Well, it’s a fun fact if you’re really interested in bridges and engineering). The Queensferry Crossing is “the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world.” Whatever that means 🤷

For much more on exploring Edinburgh, here are our guides on:

Skye Bridge

Where it is: the west coast, linking the Isle of Skye to the mainland

Why you’ll like it: because it’s the nation’s ONLY island-to-mainland bridge

Scotland is home to more than 700 islands 🌴

To reach any and all of them, you have to take ferries (by booking on the CalMac website)….

… with the exception of ONE island.

And that island is the Isle of Skye.

🌉 You see, Skye is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Unsurprisingly, that bridge is known as the Skye Bridge, and it opened in 1995. It’s not the most spectacular bridge in the world, but crossing over it feels very mysterious and magical—a super-appropriate way to enter the mega-impressive Skye!

For much more on exploring the Isle of Skye, here are:

Garry Bridge

Where it is: just north of Pitlochry, and juuuuust inside Cairngorms National Park

Why you’ll like it: because it’s super photogenic

Known as one of Scotland’s best photo stops, Garry Bridge runs through varied woodland, and sits high over the Garry River.

Used by pedestrians and cyclists, it’s located where Tay Forest Park meets the Cairngorms National Park (the biggest national park in the UK!) 🌳

🥾 The best way to see it is on the Linn of Tummel circular hike, which features a loch, some waterfalls, and three different bridges (including Garry Bridge itself!).

Fun Fact: Garry Bridge is also home to the UK’s first permanent bridge swing. So… if you’ve ever wanted to jump off a bridge safely, now’s your chance!

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Where it is: a 30-minute drive west of Fort William

Why you’ll like it: because it’s on the way to Hogwarts!

Famous for appearing in Harry Potter (it’s the big railway bridge Harry crosses over to reach Hogwarts), the Glenfinnan Viaduct is now Scotland’s most well-known bridge.

It’s also outrageously beautiful: the Highland-scenery backdrop serves up trees, fields, meadows, and lumpy dramatic hills ⛰️

You can ride on the train over the viaduct (on a steam train!) by booking tickets here. Or you can just book any of the non-steam trains that run over the viaduct (they’re the ones that go along the West Highland Line to Mallaig).

… but if you want to see a train crossing the viaduct, you’ll find lots of viewpoints along the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, an incredible and super-scenic (and super-short) walk. To see a train crossing the viaduct, make sure you check the train times… they’re not very regular.

Nairn Viaduct

Where it is: a railway bridge, on the outskirts of Inverness

Why you’ll like it: cos it’s like a lesser-known version of Glenfinnan Viaduct!

🚄 Much less-known than it should be, this railway viaduct has 29 arches, was opened in 1898, and measures in at 548 meters (around one-third of a mile).

To ride over it, you want to get on the Inverness to Perth railway line. If you want to look at it, head to the road between Dalroy and Leanach that runs beneath it.

Auld Brig o’ Doon (also known as just ‘Brig o’ Doon’)

Where it is: the southern outskirts of Ayr

Why you’ll like it: cos it was famously featured in Robert Burns’ poem ‘Tam o’ Shanter’

“Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,

And win the key-stane o’ the brig;

There at them thou thy tail may toss,

A running stream they dare na cross.”

✏️ You’ve probably heard of Robert Burns—he’s Scotland’s most famous literary figure; and the iconic annual Burns Night is named after him.

Well: Brig o’ Doon is most well-known for being mentioned in one of his poems (as above!).

🌲A historic 15th‑century stone bridge, it’s super small and super pretty, and runs over the hyper-manicured Burns Memorial Gardens. If you’re looking for outright prettiness, this is one of the best bridges on our list.

Fun Fact: In case you haven’t worked it out for yourself, ‘auld’ is the Scottish word for ‘old’… and ‘brig’ used to mean ‘bridge.’

Sligachan Old Bridge

Where it is: the middle of the Isle of Skye

Why you’ll like it: cos it’s SUPER photogenic (especially if you like snapping shots of mountains)

Another Skye Bridge, this place is widely known as Scotland’s most pretty and photogenic bridge 📷

The iconic and imposing Cuillin mountains rise dramatically behind the disused bridge—and some tiny waterfalls sit just downstream of it.

It’s especially popular for sunrise—loads of people come here to take early-morning photographs ☀️

Fun Fact: According to local legend, anyone who sticks their face in the water here will be granted eternal beauty. As you can probably tell from my profile picture, I’ve never bothered trying.

Carrbridge Old Pack Horse Bridge

Where it is: close to Aviemore, in Cairngorms National Park

Why you’ll like it: because it’s like something from a fairytale

The oldest still-existing stone bridge of its type in the Highlands, this was built in 1717 for both humans and horses to use 🐴

It’s small and humble, and looks thin and flimsy—but it’s like something from a storybook. Of all the bridges on our list, this is the most rocky and rudimentary.

Pro Tip: Follow the bridge’s River Dulnain west and you’ll also find the almost-as-pretty Sluggan Bridge.

Dean Bridge

Where it is: a central-but-underrated part of Edinburgh

Why you’ll like it: because people don’t realize quite how quaint some parts of Edinburgh are

Part of the always-overlooked Dean Village (a charming and brick-built part of inner Edinburgh that was once a water-milling village), Dean Bridge is best-viewed from beneath. It crosses over the Water of Leith, and is surrounded by trees.

A big industrial marvel, it looms over this part of the city—but somehow still has a quaint and cozy energy.

While you’re in Dean Village, go for a little aimless wander, stumble upon the millstones and old-school homes, and stop off at the lovely Meh cafe. There’s not a huge amount to ‘do’ here, but it’s massively pretty, and outrageously charming 😇

Pro Tip: Dean Village features in our ultimate itinerary for 2 days in Edinburgh—tbh, it’s weird that more tourists don’t go there! 😬

Clyde Arc

Where it is: Glasgow

Why you’ll like it: because it’s all lit up (and super-photogenic!) at night

There are 16(!) bridges crossing the River Clyde in Glasgow.

Of them all, the Clyde Arc is the most famous. Opened in 2006, it’s smooth and sleek, it looks best at night, and it’s one of the city’s best pieces of modern engineering ⚙️

Fun Fact: Because the Clyde Arc sits against the Clyde at a weird jaunty angle, it’s been nicknamed ‘The Squinty Bridge.’

For much more on Glasgow, here are:

Kylesku Bridge

Where it is: on the North Coast 500

Why you’ll like it: because the landscape here is like nothing you’ve ever seen

🚘 Located along the North Coast 500 (the best road trip I’ve ever been on, anywhere on the planet), Kylesku Bridge sits on the northern part of Scotland’s west coast.

… and the northern part of Scotland’s west coast is the most beautiful part of the world I’ve EVER seen. Surrounded by low-level lumpy hills, this place is somehow both humble and majestic—and the landscape looks like it’s from a different planet.

There’s a good chance this might be the prettiest bridge crossing you’ve ever driven across.

For more on the North Coast 500, here are:

… and here are the 18 best road trips in all of Scotland!

The Swilcan Bridge

Where it is: on a golf course!

Why you’ll like it: because it’s a strange slice of history

⛳ Sitting on the iconic Old Course at St Andrews Links golf course, the Swilcan Bridge is only around 30 feet (9 meters) long.

It’s tiny (and was probably built to help shepherds cross the little stream with their sheep)… but it’s significant and special because it sits on the oldest and most famous golf course in the world! 🤯

Over the years, it’s become a bit of a pilgrimage spot. Some of golf’s biggest names—like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods!—have paused here for photos 📷

Even if you don’t care about golf, there’s something super charming about the Swilcan Bridge. And when the course is closed for play, anyone can come and visit!

Some tips on photographing Scotland’s best bridges

If you’re reading this guide cos you want to take nice photos of nice bridges, your three favorites will be Glenfinnan Viaduct, Sligachan Old Bridge, and Carrbridge Old Pack Horse Bridge.
For good lighting, get your camera out during the so-called ‘Golden Hours’ (those hours are: around an hour after sunrise, and around an hour before sunset). During these periods, the sun is lower in the sky, creating a different range of super-photogenic colors (I don’t understand the science and I won’t pretend to).
In Scotland, the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west. Plan accordingly!
Scottish early mornings can be misty. This can make your photos super atmospheric. For the best chance of finding mist, use the official Met Office website, and look for poor to moderate visibility. You’ll find more mist in higher ground.
Generally speaking, by season, here’s what you can expect: autumn (fall) has the best colors (with loads of browns and oranges), summer is VERY green, and winter is frosty (although snow is relatively rare). Late spring serves up the most flowers.

Before You Go

So, there they are; the 14 best bridges in Scotland! 🥳

To sum up, our three favorites are:

Sligachan Old Bridge: it’s on the Isle of Skye, it’s old, it’s abandoned, it’s backed by mountains, and it might just be the nation’s most scenic bridge.
The Forth Road Rail Bridge: a massive feat of engineering, this big beefy boy is super-impressive, it’s great for photographing at sunrise, it’s close to Edinburgh, and you get perfect views from the bridge to its west.
Glenfinnan Viaduct: this mega-famous railway bridge features in Harry Potter. You can hike past it, and even ride a train over it!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 For more unusual Scottish attractions, head over to our guides on:

Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and we’ll see you again soon. Keep scrolling down this page for more Scottish gems! 👋

IMPORTANT: Feel free to explore our other travel guides while you're here – you might discover some delightful surprises! Click on our links above, every visit helps support our small business. We truly appreciate it.

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard

About the author

Paul McDougal

Senior Travel Reporter

Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He's hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he's always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he's lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.