Scotland’s Forth Bridge has been put forward to World Heritage status consideration.
The railway bridge linking Edinburgh and Fife, now 124 years old, was the first major British construction to be built out of steel. It carries trains for more than a mile and a half across the Forth.
The formal bid will be considered by the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
Gibraltar’s Gorham’s Cave, one of the last known Neanderthal habitations, was also nominated.
Scotland currently has five sites approved by World Heritage for their cultural or natural importance to world common heritage. They are St Kilda islands, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney including Skara Brae, the 18th century cotton mill village, Antonine Wall which marked the Roman frontier, and the old and new towns in Edinburgh.
Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s culture secretary, said: “As one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks, the bridge connects those who admire its design with Scotland’s proud industrial and cultural heritage.’’
Famous as it is, much due to the adage about painting it, it may not be quite so renowned around the world as the culture secretary hopes.
A decision is expected on the bridge in June 2015, while Gorham’s Cave acceptance will be decided in 2016.
Plans are afoot to put forward the Lake District to be a World Heritage Site.
