Dunfermline Press reporter scales iconic Forth Road Bridge

AS I drive to South Queensferry with my music up as loud as it can go, I can’t remember why I’ve been freaking out for the last three days.

But as I pull up at the BEAR Scotland offices next to the bridge I’m about to scale, I am more than aware of why I’ve been freaking out for the last three days.

Logically, I know I’ve got nothing to fear. I was excited to do this. I wanted to experience new things and do something out of my comfort zone.

Going inside the south tower of the Forth Road Bridge, up in a tiny elevator, climbing up a 14-metre ladder and standing on top of said tower, was definitely out of my comfort zone. Mission accomplished.

I parked up at 9.30am on Thursday (August 8) and stepped inside the office, doing my utmost not to think about the task ahead. I was told I would be going up in a group of three, with Chris Waite (media and communications officer for BEAR Scotland), and another reporter. She had done this before, so if she had willingly come back to go again, it can’t be that bad… right?

We had a quick safety briefing, where we were told that there was a recovery team on standby should anything happen. I don’t think it was as comforting as they thought!

Despite all of that, I was feeling a lot better about my little out-of-office adventure. I was harnessed up and completely confident in my ladder-climbing abilities.

Plus, the van was kitted out with a toilet, so I was ready for anything.

Press reporter, Chloe Goodall, before climbing up the South tower. (Image: Chloe Goodall)

We drove along the bridge before circling back around to the south tower entrance with a warning to be extra careful of cyclists. The bridge was still open to the public while we went up, so we were parked up on the path.

Hard hat and safety glasses on, Chris opened the tiniest hatch I had ever seen. I thought back to the email I had received in advance, stressing that if I was claustrophobic it would be a problem.

And if I thought the door was small, the elevator was miniscule. I was comforted by the fact that it had been recently refurbished, but it definitely wasn’t big enough for four people like the little sign said.

The remaining floor space of the lift, when the group of three was inside. (Image: Chloe Goodall)

All in all, the lift took about five minutes and it was so far so good. We squeezed our way out and around the corner to the dreaded ladder. It looked much easier than I expected. I was going to fly up this.

Then, Chris said: “It’s not that one, it’s this one,” and immediately humbled me.

We went through another little doorway, and I found myself staring up at the actual ladder. With little to no upper body strength and dwindling confidence, we were clipped onto the safety line, and we started our ascent.

I don’t remember much from the climb up, other than the burning in my arms and how quickly I was out of breath. My main focus was to get up there without completely embarrassing myself. It was a good distraction from what would be waiting for me up there.

(Image: Chloe Goodall)

I had gone first, so I waited for the rest of my group at the hatch we would climb through. It all felt a bit surreal, like I was peering behind the curtains in some place I shouldn’t be. It was exciting.

And then, before I knew it, we were climbing up the last steps to the hatch, going through it and were standing on the walkway on top of the tower.

It was a lot quieter than I expected. The views were breath-taking, and it felt so safe and secure. I had worried for nothing.

The view from atop the Forth Road Bridge. (Image: Chloe Goodall)

Looking out I could see both the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Bridge. Both are beautiful, but I’ve never seen them look better. The sky was overcast, but it was mild, there was hardly any wind, and you could see for miles.

I looked down and could see pedestrians walking below, buses and taxis driving past and little people on boats in the Forth. Pretty cool would be an understatement.

The birdseye view from the bridge. (Image: Chloe Goodall)

We walked along to one of the upper platforms, the ladder was significantly smaller, and we got up in no time. There I was, 156 metres up.

There were workers on the cables, I think they were working on the dehumidification system, and I was struck by the fact that people get to do this every day.

(Image: Lisa Ferguson)

We spent some time up there, taking in the sights and I felt silly about my apprehension. After getting our fill of photos, we started our descent. Admittedly, the ladders were much easier on the way down.

The thing is, when you do something new, you don’t know how you’ll react until you do it.

I’m glad that I didn’t let my anxiety over the situation stop me from experiencing it.

Would I do it again? 100 per cent.