First Minister unveils monuments in tribute to Forth Rail Bridge workers

The First Minister has marked the completion of a decade-long restoration project on a Scottish landmark by unveiling two monuments to workers.

The £130m refurbishment of the Forth Rail Bridge included a new coat of paint which is expected to last for around 25 years.

Both monuments, created by local artist Gordon Muir, celebrate those who have worked on the bridge - known as "Briggers" - during its 129-year history.

The tribute was heavily backed by residents in both North and South Queensferry.

The First Minister said: "The Forth Bridge is perhaps the single most inspirational structure ever to have been built in Scotland.

"As a pioneering, supremely practical but also very beautiful feat of engineering, it has few equals anywhere in the world and the completion of its 10-year restoration project is a terrific achievement.

"All of this has been made possible thanks to the Briggers past and present, who have shown incredible bravery, industry and skill in the 129 years since the bridge was built.

"Above all, we honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives during the bridge's construction. They helped make possible what remains perhaps Scotland's greatest-ever engineering achievement and these memorials are worthy tributes to their skill and courage."

First finished in 1890, the 1.5 mile-long bridge crosses the Forth Estuary between North and South Queensferry.

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