A little town has been named the most beautiful in Scotland.
The best and worst of Britain’s 1,250 towns was recently selected, and coming out on top in Scotland was picturesque Queensferry, just minutes from Edinburgh’s city centre by train.
Situated on the banks of the Firth of Forth, the town – more commonly called South Queensferry – is known for its fish and chip options, historic High Street and the three huge bridges from three centuries that span Scotland’s eighth longest river.
The Forth Rail Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in the world and a Unesco World Heritage Site. At the same time, the more recent road bridge and Queensferry Crossing are also impressive sights, albeit lacking the historic charm of the original.
The Telegraph, which ran the selection process, gave the town an overall score of 45 out of 50, with 10 out of 10 given to the views, 9 out of 10 to historic architecture, shop fronts and greenery, and eight out of 10 to local traffic and litter.
The newspaper said: “Nowhere in the world boasts three such architecturally significant bridges from three successive centuries.”
It states the bridges “imbue everything you do in Queensferry with a sense of drama, from strolling the cobbles of the elegant and deeply historic High Street, through to admiring the pastel-hued houses and enjoying the plethora of bridges-view cafes, bars and restaurants”.
Queensferry is described as a “heady mix swirling in the UK’s oldest still in-use Carmelite church, beaches and wee independent shops”.
The town is also home to the gorgeous Hopetoun House, which was used in Outlander to recreate scenes in Scotland, England, and Paris. Built in the early 1700s, it also featured in the ITV drama Belgravia and the Netflix film The Princess Switch.
Queensferry has many local traditions, including a Christmas showcase for local talent with fireworks, the Ferry Fair, which sees a girl crowned Fair Queen, and the 300-year-old pagan Burry Man procession.
The town is also a great place to start a coastal walk. You can join the John Muir Way and follow it through Dalmeny Estate and towards Cramond village.
The 134-mile adventure links Helensburgh in the west with John Muir’s birthplace, Dunbar, in the east. It is fully waymarked for walking and cycling.
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