Great news for anyone planning to visit Edinburg, Scotland
Visit the source article at http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/couples-to-leave-love-locks-on-forth-road-bridge-1-3074761
Now couples will be able to show their devotion to each other – by leaving so-called “love locks” on the railings of the Forth RoadBridge.
The structure might not seem like the most romantic of locations, but bridge bosses are hopeful the saccharine sweet idea will catch on with loved-up couples.
In step with what has happened at other famous bridges, people will be invited to get their names or initials engraved on locks before fastening them to the bridge and throwing away the key.
The locks are said to seal eternal love once the key is lost in the water below.
It is not clear at this stage what might happen when lovelorn coupless split up, but romantic members of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) hope the novel idea will provide a soft gooey centre for next year’s Forth Bridges Festival.
FETA spokesman Chris Waite said visitors could become a part of the bridge by placing the trinkets on a designated section in the middle.
He said: “People seem to like to leave a memento attached to a bridge and we thought it was something we could do quite easily and raise money for good causes at the same time.
“As the new bridge starts to rise out of the water over the next 12 months, we expect more people to be walking across the bridge and hope it will become a popular attraction.”
Visitors will be able to buy the charms, with the option of having them engraved, for between £5 and £10 near to the bridge.
Proceeds will cover costs and additional funds will be donated to local charities.
Queensferry Community Council secretary Terry Airlie said the location promised to be more spectacular than other sites where it is already popular.
He said: “I have seen them in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin but never on the height and scale of the Forth Road Bridge. In Paris there wasn’t room for another padlock to be fitted and that was on something that was 30-40ft above water. The Forth Road Bridge must be 350ft above water.
“I’m sure it will prove popular with couples wanting to do something a bit different.”
Psychologists believe such secret-yet-public shows of affection are typical of the lovelorn, who believe their love will last forever, and is a behaviour traced back to cavemen carving their names in tree trunks.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said it was a thoughtful way to mark the bridge’s anniversary.
He said: “We are looking forward to all the activities planned including this novel way of leaving a lasting memento on the road bridge – an idea which has been hugely popular across the world.”