A Refuge in the Steel: The Forth Bridge Bothies

For many visitors, the Forth Bridge is about the sweeping views, the iconic red steelwork and the remarkable story of Victorian engineering. But at Barnardo's Your View at the Forth Bridge event, participants who have purchased the Ultimate Experience ticket can experience something very few people ever see: a visit beneath track level to one of the bridge's bothies. 

Tucked within the vast steel structure, the bothies offer a fascinating glimpse into the working life of the Forth Bridge and the people who have maintained this world-famous landmark for generations.  

Photo credit: Welcome to Fife

So what is a bothy? 

Traditionally, a bothy was a simple shelter used by estate workers, shepherds and other rural workers across Scotland. On the Forth Bridge, bothies served as practical refuges for maintenance teams working high above the waters of the Firth of Forth.  Each of the three cantilevered towers has a bothy. 

Although not part of the original 1890 bridge design, maintenance bothies were later installed within the steel structure in the 1930’s to provide shelter for workers carrying out inspections and repairs. Perched beneath track level, these simple refuges offered protection from the wind, rain and cold that maintenance teams faced while working high above the Firth of Forth. 

Standing inside the bothy, it is easy to imagine workers sheltering from the weather, sharing stories with colleagues and preparing for another shift within the steel giant around them. It is a reminder that behind every great engineering achievement are the people whose hard work keep it functioning day after day. 

For those taking part in Barnardo's Your View Ultimate Experience at the Forth Bridge, the bothy is much more than a hidden room beneath the tracks. It is a rare opportunity to step into the living history of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discover a side of the bridge few people ever see, and gain a deeper appreciation of the engineering innovation and human endeavour that have kept the Forth Bridge standing proudly for more than 136 years.