We are delighted to see proposals for a visitor centre at the Forth Bridge and of course give our full backing to the bid for Unesco world heritage site status ("Plans unveiled for tours of top of Forth Bridge towers", The Herald, January 29)
We are delighted to see proposals for a visitor centre at the Forth Bridge and of course give our full backing to the bid for Unesco world heritage site status ("Plans unveiled for tours of top of Forth Bridge towers", The Herald, January 29)
It is the only site chosen from an 11-strong shortlist across the UK - and was considered the most likely to be accepted for an elite list of attractions, which already includes Egypt's pyramids, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Wall of China.
The Forth Bridge is an iconic symbol of technical creativity and engineering and next year will celebrate its 125th birthday, being constructed almost half a century before the Saltire Society was formed to act as a strong, independent champion for Scotland's cultural heritage and creative ambitions. Indeed, the Forth Bridge was jointly awarded the Saltire Society Civil Engineering Award in 2012, which saw the structure fully restored over the previous decade.
As a symbol of Scotland's industrial and cultural past this was the first major structure in the UK to be built of steel and is a clear opportunity to boost Scotland's heritage tourism industry.
Inscription as a world heritage site is an important accolade, so achieving this recognition will be tremendous news for Scotland and a fitting tribute to all of the people who have contributed to the building, maintenance and restoration of the bridge, including the 98 men who died building it.
Jim Tough,
Executive director,
The Saltire Society,
9 Fountain Close, 22 High Street, Edinburgh.
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