Hopes are high that the iconic Forth Bridge may soon join the elite list of world heritage sites.
North Queensferry SNP councillor Douglas Chapman has welcomed news that Fife Council is preparing an application to have the 120-year-old rail bridge recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.
If the bid is successful it will put the bridge on a par with the Pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China.
Mr Chapman said, “The world heritage site accolade brings profile-raising status.
“Should we get the Forth Bridge accepted onto the list, the opportunities for more tourism in Fife and other benefits are huge.”
He said the bridge has a special place in the hearts of locals as it represented the gateway to Fife and was also a “fabulous symbol” of Scottish engineering.
The bridge, the world’s first major steel bridge, was put forward for world heritage status in 1999 by the then Scottish Executive.
Now the chance has come again and Fife Council is to spearhead the bid, which is believed to be supported by the Forth Bridges Visitor Trust, North Queensferry Heritage Trust, City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government.
The chance to be recognised by UNESCO only comes up every 10 years and the first stage is to be put on the tentative list.
Nominations close on June 11.