THE Forth Bridge has taken a step closer to being given the same cultural status as the Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China, as it has been confirmed it will bid to become a world heritage site.
A formal bid for the structure is due to be lodged with Unesco, a branch of the United Nations, in 2014, with a decision due the following year.
The crossing was included on a short list submitted to Unesco earlier this year, and an independent expert group has now recommended it should go forward.
Heritage Minister John Penrose described the crossing, which was completed in 1890, as a "strong contender". If successful, it would be the sixth world heritage site in Scotland.
Scottish Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "To have the bridge inscribed as a Unesco world heritage site would be a tremendous accolade for the bridge itself, for the local communities and for Scotland. This nomination has the potential to be a celebration of our country's engineering ingenuity and pedigree."
Mr Penrose said: "Nomination to Unesco for world heritage status is incredibly rewarding, but the process is pretty tough and success is by no means guaranteed."
The current world heritage sites in Scotland are the Antonine Wall, St Kilda, New Lanark, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and Edinburgh Old and New Towns.
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