Fort Augustus Preservation
Restoration of the Old River Oich Bridge – The oldest timber bridge in Scotland
The bridge can be seen from the main A82 bridge looking towards Loch Ness.
The three-arched stone bridge was built over the River Oich just after Cumberlands occupation of Fort Augustus in 1746. In 1849 two of its masonry spans were washed away in "the Great Floods". Joseph Mitchell(himself a local trainee of Thomas Telford) applied to Westminster Parliament for funding and completed a "temporary repair" within the space of a single year. This is believed to be the oldest surviving timber bridge in Scotland. The local Council are in agreement that the bridge should be authentically restored, in its re-
constructed timber state, so as to revive its pedestrian right of way - such as will include equestrians and pedal cyclists but not motorists. Its restoration will relieve dangerous pedestrian congestion on the modern A82 road bridge, offering an alternative access to the village from the tourist office and public car park. As a public utility this restoration will serve the community the year round and some children will find it a safer access to their school.
Since the effective closure of the Fort/Abbey to public viewing, the village is sorely in need of a “flagship” restoration to reassert the importance of its many heritage features. Near the location of this old bridge are found our best views of the Abbey
rontage, of the Caledonian Canal and of the greater extent of Loch Ness. Detailed “interpretation” of the bridge (and of its having also been vital to the “droving” industry) will be essential. The restoration will be invaluable to our “core paths network” and to a proposed, future signage of designated historic walks. It will provide the necessary “hook” for future tourist and heritage publicity.
The closure of the Abbey/Fort to visitors has, of late, been a set-back for our local restaurant, hotel and bed-and-breakfast industries. Aside from stimulating local commerce, the restoration
of a prestigious, heritage “flagship” will justify improved signage and interpretation of our many other, local heritagefeatures.This introduction of “quality tourism” will encourage more visitors to make stays of longer duration and hopefully will enable more of our younger, indigenous population to find local employment. Our interpretation of the bridge would lay stress on the importance of its 1850 restorer, Joseph Mitchell, and his perception that the repair was then essential to the economy of the Highlands - as being on a major route for cattle droving. (His immediate acquisition of funding for repair – from Westminster – was itself a minor miracle.)
Joseph Mitchell amusingly recorded his early childhood in Fort Augustus before being “head-hunted” by Thomas Telford, when working his mason’s apprenticeship on the Canal nearby. He therefore largely owed his subsequent career success to Telford (- whether or not he is a direct ancestor of the Mitchell who designed the Spitfire aircraft !)
John Addison, our engineer, advises us that Mitchell selected a wooden design that was already well proven before 1850. John considers its survival to the present day to be remarkable and to provide a unique link with the practice of many previous centuries.
The Council have stated that when the bridge is satisfactorily restored, they will agree with the new Fort Augustus Preservation Trust a programme for future inspection and maintenance. Jointly both agencies will be committed to maintain it as a national monument and a public utility.
The remaining original stone arch built in the 1770’s
The ‘temporary’ repair in timber erected in 1850. The oldest timber bridge in Scotland
Joseph Mitchell amusingly recorded his early childhood in Fort Augustus before being “head-hunted” by Thomas Telford, when working his mason’s apprenticeship on the Canal nearby. He therefore largely owed his subsequent career success to Telford (- whether or not he is a direct ancestor of the Mitchell who designed the Spitfire aircraft !)
John Addison, our engineer, advises us that Mitchell selected a wooden design that was already well proven before 1850. John considers its survival to the present day to be remarkable and to provide a unique link with the practice of many previous centuries.
The Council have stated that when the bridge is satisfactorily restored, they will agree with the new Fort Augustus Preservation Trust a programme for future inspection and maintenance. Jointly both agencies will be committed to maintain it as a national monument and a public utility.
The remaining original stone arch built in the 1770’s
The ‘temporary’ repair in timber erected in 1850. The oldest timber bridge in Scotland
