Displayed here is a souvenir card showing the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, taken sometime between 1890 and 1902. Souvenir postcards were popular ways of sharing the beautiful views of Scotland. Historically, pictures of nature were preferred on these cards; however, the Forth Bridge was such a great engineering feat that it became a source of tourism and national pride for Scotland. The bridge was one of the first in Britain to be made from steel and was the longest cantilever bridge in the world at the time.

The bridge has specific viewing areas for both visitors and photographers. Look closely: you may notice a person at the bottom of the card. This is a trick the publisher, G.W. Wilson & Co., employs to emphasize the sheer size of the bridge. These vantage points were also where photographers took photos of the bridge. Older photographs usually display the bridge from one side and from below, such as in souvenir cards. This commonality in the photography of the bridge forced the viewer to always see the bridge as large and overwhelming rather than from a birds-eye view. Seeing the bridge as this tremendous structure through souvenir cards and pictures helped the growing admiration the bridge received. 

George Washington Wilson was a famous Scottish photographer who started a firm using images he took all over Scotland to produce one of the biggest postcard manufacturers in the country. His company promoted Scottish tourism through cards displaying Scotland’s scenery and iconic sites.

Souvenir cards were mass-produced to lower the cost of production, making them inexpensive and accessible to all travellers regardless of income. This became important as Scottish tourism began to expand to the middle and working classes throughout the nineteenth century. Souvenir cards could be sent by mail, helping travellers share their trips with friends and family for a rather reasonable price. 

Railways in Britain were one of the most popular ways to travel during the late nineteenth century. The bridge was significant to the rail system in Scotland as it opened new areas to tourism. The bridge brought trains to Fife and advanced tourism in that area, including popular attractions today, such as castle ruins and St. Andrew’s Golf Course. 

The Forth Bridge was very important for Scottish tourism. It fostered pride through its stunning beauty and engineering greatness. The bridge was a popular tourist destination and a popular subject in photographs. As a souvenir card, it further promoted tourism because it was affordable and accessible, allowing it to be shared with a wide audience.