New industrial heritage trail launched at the Forth Bridge

A landmark moment for the United Kingdom’s industrial past will be marked beneath one of its most recognisable structures later this month, as the Forth Bridge hosts the launch of a new UNESCO UK Industrial Trail.

Bringing together 22 UNESCO designations from across the country, the trail has been created to showcase sites of outstanding international importance, celebrating the ingenuity, craftsmanship and social history that shaped modern Britain. From engineering feats to industrial communities, the initiative invites visitors to explore a shared heritage that continues to define the nation’s identity.

The Forth Bridge, itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enduring symbol of engineering excellence, will take centre stage in these celebrations on Friday 26 June, with a free public exhibition and programme of talks at the Contact & Education Centre in South Queensferry.

Running from 10am to 4pm, the event offers a rare opportunity to explore both the wider industrial story of the United Kingdom and the detailed history of the bridge itself. Visitors will be able to engage with expert speakers, learn about conservation and restoration, and gain a deeper understanding of how industrial heritage continues to resonate in the present day.

A series of short talks will form the backbone of the programme. At 11am, Dr Miles Oglethorpe, former Head of Industrial Heritage at Historic Environment Scotland, will examine the enduring appeal of the sector in his talk, What makes industrial heritage so special? His session is expected to explore both the tangible and intangible qualities that give such sites their lasting significance.

At 12 noon, Mark Watson, Deputy Head of Industrial Heritage at Historic Environment Scotland, will turn attention to the broader landscape of interpretation and visitor experience with a talk on Industrial Heritage Routes. This will highlight how sites across the UK can be connected into compelling journeys for visitors, reinforcing the value of collaboration and storytelling in heritage tourism.

The focus will return to the Forth Bridge itself at 2pm, when John Andrew of Transport Scotland and the Forth Bridges Forum will present The Forth Bridge: Restoring an Icon. This session will offer insight into the complex work required to conserve one of the world’s most celebrated engineering structures, alongside the ongoing commitment to maintaining its status for future generations.

Throughout the day, the Forth Bridge History Group, known as the “Briggers”, will deliver informal talks and live riveting demonstrations. These hands-on displays promise to bring the industrial past to life, offering visitors a vivid sense of the skills and techniques that underpinned large-scale engineering projects.

The launch event reflects a wider ambition to connect audiences with the stories behind Britain’s industrial achievements, encouraging both domestic and international visitors to explore lesser-known sites alongside world-famous landmarks.

Set against the striking backdrop of the Forth Bridge, the day offers a timely reminder that industrial heritage is not simply about the past, but about understanding the people, innovation and ambition that continue to shape places today.

Further details on the exhibition and the UNESCO UK Industrial Trail are available via the official news page. News | Industrial Heritage Exhibition