Did you know it took 4,500 workers to build the Forth rail bridge? Were you aware that the Forth road bridge was the longest of bridge of its kind outside the US when it was built? The Forth Bridges have been famous landmarks on the Firth of Forth for many years. Now rising out of the water like a white angel is the new Queensferry Crossing. Joining the family of the famous duo, each bridge has its own story to tell. Of all the places to visit in Fife, this location is iconic and absolutely worth a visit.

Telling the story of three bridges

Travellers would cross from Lothian to Fife in the area well before the invention of trains and cars. As methods of transport evolved so did the need for alternative ways of crossing this expanse of water.

Through remarkable feats of engineering, these bridges rose out of the water thanks to hundreds of workers, many of whom risked their lives to build them. The rail bridge came first and was completed in 1890. It had a total length of 2,467. and its highest point is 110m above water level. It is still in regular use to this day, and you can easily buy tickets and take a train ride across and back.

The Forth Road Bridge came next, completed in in 1964. It’s over 2.5km long. Until relatively recently was still used daily by motorists. Today, it has been semi-retired. The bridge is now for exclusive use by pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation vehicles.

Finally, in 2017, the Queensferry Crossing opened. For exclusive use by motorway traffic (you cannot walk across it), it is s the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. at 2.7km. It’s absolutely worth a drive over to admire it’s beautiful design, and also the breathtaking views of the other two bridges spanning the Forth.

Perfect family day out in Fife

The bridges are a little under an hours drive south from Elderburn, and are worth a day trip to see. For many, it’s a bucket-list achievement. Take a trip over and stop for something to eat in South Queensferry. Also, don’t miss an opportunity to take a boat ride onto the water and see the bridges from a whole new perspective!

Build Bridges and visit us in Fife!

Our self-catering accommodation is near St Andrews, here in Fife and a beautiful drive from the bridges. Check out our special offers to choose the best time of year to visit. Find out more by getting in touch today. Call us on 07840 801 114 or email us here. So come along and discover more places to visit in Fife!

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Choose eco-friendly accommodation

First and foremost when it comes to holidaying sustainably is to choose accommodation which matches your own ethics and environmental beliefs. At Elderburn Lodges, we take the environment seriously, and have many eco-friendly practices like solar panels and biomass boilers. You can read up on these on our sustainability blog and read our green policy statement. Get in touch today to book your stay with us, safe in the knowledge you will be leaving as small a carbon footprint at your accommodation as possible. 

If you are travelling to us with electric vehicles, you can also take advantage of our EV charging stations. We have two 22kw untethered Type 2 Smart Chargers.

Green travel

St Andrews is a compact town and if possible, try to avoid taking your car into the centre. We encourage people to cycle or walk to really make the most of their visit. Cycling in Fife can give you a new angle to admire this part of Scotland, and there are loads of gorgeous walks in and around the town too. 

St Andrews can get busy, especially in the peak of summer. So why not try visiting off-peak? Every season offers something different here, from wintery walks along sandy beaches to welcoming the first growths of spring. Some say the air feels cleaner at this time of year too – why not come for yourself to judge?

Sustainable eating

As a self-catering lodge, you are in charge of where, when and what you eat. If you are looking to cook up and enjoy the best of Scotland’s larder yourself, then there are so many wonderful shops to try. Of particular note is the South Street Market which sees farmers and independent producers sell their goods. The market has a focus on local sustainability. It’s monthly, but please do check the website in advance of the dates before you travel. 

If you are looking to eat out, the town also has plenty of restaurants that care about local and seasonal produce. The Seafood Ristorante specialises in seasonal seafood. The Niblick restaurant also celebrates local and seasonal ingredients. 

Be an eco-tourist

It’s lovely to explore St Andrews and Fife on your own, but by combining with a bigger group you may be able to reduce your overall carbon footprint. Bus tours can take large groups of people to see our amazing wildlife, reducing the number of cars on the roads. Not only this, you also get to hear from an expert about what you are seeing, and they will know the most likely places to spot wild animals. Try group tours such as from Rabbies. You could even try some boat tours! 

Green footprints

However you enjoy your holiday, we hope you will enjoy it sustainably. By staying at Elderburn Lodges, you will already be well on your way to doing so. If you need any more advice on eco friendly breaks in Scotland, then please do get in touch. Check out our special offers and book your green holiday in Scotland today. 

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Powered by the planet

We use solar PV panels on-site to help with our power. Lodges 1 and 3 have solar panels on their roofs and these are used to power lodges’ appliances. They generate power even on cloudy days, so are working all year round. 

When it comes to insulation, we have that covered too. Each lodge has independent temperature controls using digital thermostats. All doors and windows are double glazed, which keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer. Additionally, using rigid insulation boards behind our plasterboard lining, and adding extra insulation to loft spaces, we have made sure that our lodges are as insulated as possible. 

However one of the main ways we work to be eco-friendly is by how we power our lodges. We have a biomass boiler on site which is fed with wood pellets. From the central tank, hot water is piped through a heat exchange system and ultimately heats everything including the radiators, showers and sinks. It’s an extremely efficient way to heat water, especially on such a large scale.

Water usage

Speaking of water, we’ve also put a lot of thought into how much water is used in our lodges. You might think that we get enough rain in Scotland to not worry about water wastage, but this isn’t the case. We don’t always get rain when we need it, and not always where we need it either. It takes a lot of energy to move water about the country, and a lot to clean waste water too. So by avoiding wastage, we can cut down on unnecessary carbon emissions. 

Our showers are fitted with eco settings which make sure the experience is still luxurious, but not wasteful. Our towels are replaced every three to four days, unless guests request otherwise. This cuts down on the amount of washes we need to further saving energy. 

We also have a soakaway system for our site which reduces flood risk whilst keeping water near to where it falls. This is a large hole filled with rubble and rocks, letting water drain away naturally without overflowing the sewer system. It also created an area great for nature too.

Eco-holidays near St Andrews

These are just the major environmental actions we take here at Elderburn. We also recycle our waste, encourage the use of public transport or bicycles to get around and use local tradespeople whenever possible to ensure out lodges stay in perfect condition. There’s also our EV charging stations for electric vehicles. And that’s not to mention our green spaces which guests are free to enjoy and log any wildlife they see. Read more about our eco credentials on our green policy statement.

So enjoy eco holidays in Scotland with Elderburn Lodges near St Andrews. Take a look at our special offers and book your stay today.

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