Inside the UK's tallest bridge: Ballot opens to offer public guided Queensferry Crossing tour

Members of the public will be able to ballot for an exclusive guided tour inside the Queensferry Crossing.

In September, as part of Doors Open Day, 180 visitors will get to see the interior of the £1.3bn bridge, led by Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland.

The winners will be offered a unique glimpse at the structure’s inner workings, with ten lucky winners taken up the highest tower to take in views over the Forth of Firth.

It will be the first event of its kind on the UK’s tallest bridge, which opened in 2017.

While there will be no charge for the tours, donations to charity will be welcomed. All money raised will go to BEAR Scotland’s national charity partner Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Nick Forbes, Bear Scotland’s bridge manager, said: “We’re really excited to offer members of the public the chance to see Queensferry Crossing for the first time.

“Over 75,000 use the bridge every day, but very few people get to come and see inside the bridge, how it operates, and the job we do to maintain the structure.

“People will come onto the abutment and see main elements including the maintenance structure and various components – bearings, expansion joints, cable stays. There will be guides to explain different aspects and the real workings of the bridge.

“This is one of the best views of the Forth, no doubt about it – nearly 210 metres up. Visitors are offered raffle tickets for a trip up here themselves.

“It’s a unique experience to get inside here – apart from the people who work here, very few members of the public get the chance to get inside the structure.

“Part of it is to showcase what we do – we’re passionate about maintaining a fantastic structure, and raising money for a fantastic charity as well.”

The towers of the Queensferry Crossing are 207 metres (679 feet) high above high tide, making the Queensferry Crossing the tallest bridge in the UK.

The towers are also higher than the Forth Road Bridge, which is 156 metres high.

Anne Magarin, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland’s corporate fundraising manager, got the chance to climb the bridge’s North Tower.

“My favourite part has been overcoming my fear of heights to be on top – but the views are incredible! It makes it worth it going up there.”

The charity provides vital support services to people and their families who are living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition and Long Covid.

Around one million in Scotland are living with such conditions – an estimated one in five across the country.

Anne added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be part of this to raise money for the cause. It’s an absolute privilege.

“One call to our advice line costs £12.50. The more money we raise, the more calls we can cover. It also gives us publicity, which is important – people know they can get in touch.

“On the day, people can come here, get their raffle tickets, go on the tours and hopefully be one of the lucky ones to go up to the North Tower.”

Guided tours will depart every 20 minutes on September 27 from the bridge office in South Queensferry. Tours will last 90 minutes, visiting parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including the interior of the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge’s cable stays are anchored.

A total of 180 places will be available, allocated via a random ballot which will go live later in July.

Members of the public are encouraged to follow @setrunkroads and @theforthbridges on X to be first in line when the ballot opens.