Twin stone piers enclose the old burgh harbour, where fishing, ferry steamers and public waterfront life succeeded one another.
Quick facts
- Date
- Sixteenth-century origins; rebuilt 1815–17; later repairs
- Architect / designer
- Hugh Baird, engineer for the 1815 scheme; Burgh Council and local patrons
- Type
- Twin-pier rubble harbour with slips, steps and lookout
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB40371)
- OS grid reference
- NT 13017 78545
Architecture and continuing use
Two rubble piers project from the shore: the west arm turns inward while the straighter east pier contains a long slipway. Stone surfaces, renovated steps, retaining walls and a small corbelled lookout show practical adaptation to boats, tides and public movement.
Its story
A harbour existed by the sixteenth century. Burgh Council commissioned Hugh Baird’s rebuilding plan in 1815, completing a reduced version in 1817 with financial and material support from neighbouring estates. Herring fishing sustained the local economy, while a later wooden Galloway Pier served river steamers from 1886 to 1919 before its removal.
Why it is included
Category B listing protects the principal maritime space of the historic burgh and the physical setting for fishing, ferry and excursion traffic.
What to notice
- Turned head of the west pier sheltering the entrance.
- Long slipway integrated with the east arm.
- Corbelled lookout and successive repairs in the retaining walls.
Reading the surroundings
Keep clear of boats, ropes, maintenance and launching activity. Wear suitable footwear, supervise children and avoid exposed edges, steps and tidal surfaces in poor weather; follow council or harbour closures immediately.
Timeline
- 16th century Documentary evidence places a working harbour on the burgh shoreline.
- 1815–17 Baird’s design guided a substantial reconstruction by the council and local patrons.
- 1886–1919 A timber extension accommodated passenger traffic from Forth steamers.
- 21st century Inspection and emergency repair continue to address exposed historic masonry.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Current berth use and temporary work zones can change; the designation is not navigation guidance and does not replace on-site notices.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Queensferry Harbour, LB40371 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural interest.
- Trove designation: LB40371 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Scottish Government marine report: Queensferry Harbour visual inspection — Current ownership, condition and inspection context.
- Queensferry and District Community Council: news — Local notices including harbour emergency repair updates.
Location
OS grid reference NT 13017 78545 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access and current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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