In pictures: 9 of Scotland's most striking bridges

The Forth Rail Bridge stands as one of the greatest engineering feats of Victorian Britain. Picture: Wikimedia

FROM a single-arched, hump-backed masonry bridge built in the 18th century to the modern marvel currently under construction in the Firth of Forth, bridges have often served important roles across Scotland.

Designed to help us overcome obstacles, it is no surprise that many of them are held as landmarks and the country has no shortage when it comes to beautiful examples.

The earliest arch and beam bridges helped communities cross rivers while the newest suspension and truss bridges span everything from roads and valleys to large bodies of water, ensuring Scotland’s transport infrastructure doesn’t falter.

Recent examples of disruption on the Forth Road and the Kingston bridges have shown just how integral these iconic landmarks have become to many Scots’ modern lives.

Scotland has some of the oldest bridges in the world, including some early pioneers of techniques now used across the world, here are 9 of the most beautiful.