Go forth and be terrified: Care home staff abseil Scotland's iconic bridge

With trains hurtling on the tracks above their heads, four care workers battled against high winds and their own fear to abseil down Scotland’s Forth Bridge.

Descending down the 150ft structure to terra firma proved no easy feat for staff at Highgate Care home, as some admitted to being silently scared but determined to finish the job to raise money for charity.

“I was terrified” says Michelle Ferrey, the care home manager who agreed to abseil alongside the Glasgow-based home's administrator, activities coordinator and maintenance manager.

“Hearing the trains pass above our heads was a bit disconcerting.”

The cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth is nine miles from Edinburgh city. Considered a symbol of Scotland, the bridge is 156 metres high and 2,467 metres (8,094 ft) long.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, which opened in 1964, has witnessed 73 deaths connected with the bridge's construction alone, which included 38 who fell, nine who drowned and eight struck by a falling object.

While her colleague Alex Stark appeared “completely calm” during his descent and co-worker Janine Boyle delivered a cheery wave to the crowd, Ms Ferrey was keener than the rest to get back to earth.

Not one to hang around to appreciate the spectacular view, Ms Ferrey found comfort in the weather confessing: “The rain thankfully held off until after our abseil.”

The care home manager, alongside administrator Shell Edgar, maintenance manager Alex Stark and activity coordinator Janine Boyle managed to raise £810 for Age UK.

Age UK helps more than five million people every year by providing support, companionship and advice for older people.

Michelle Ferrey added: “Age UK is an amazing charity which plays such an important role in the support of older people and we are thrilled to have been able to raise such a fantastic amount of money to help this wonderful cause.”