Forth, River, is one of the main rivers of Scotland. It rises in the hills to the east of Loch Lomond and flows generally eastward to the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. Most of the upper reaches of the River Forth flow through Central Region. The river is nearly 118 miles (190 kilometers) long, including the Firth of Forth. Important towns and cities on the Forth include Stirling, Alloa, and Edinburgh. Road bridges span the river at Queensferry and at Kincardine. A famous cantilever railway bridge stretches 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) across the Forth at Queensferry. The lower reaches of the Forth are a leading port area, particularly for North Sea oil.
Two of the most important battles in the history of Scotland were fought along the River Forth. In 1297, Scottish troops led by William Wallace defeated an English force at Stirling Bridge. In 1314, Scottish troops under Robert Bruce saved their country from foreign rule by defeating the English at nearby Bannockburn.
See also Bannockburn, Battle of ; Firth of Forth ; Wallace, Sir William .
