New bridge on public road near Kinbrace
Photograph and information courtesy of Eric Brown, FC, Inverness.
Eric says ‘The attached photo is of a partnership construction project between the Forestry Commission and Highland Council on the Harviston Bridge replacement which was completed over a weekend from 22nd - 24th June 2001. The road was only allowed to be closed for the 2 days as part of the conditions, so there was a deal of pressure to get it completed resulting in early start and late finishes.
The Forestry squad (in Yellow Helmets) from the left Donald MacLeod, Ronald Fraser, Eric Brown, Monty MacLean’
The bridge was built over the Bannock burn, a tributary of the River Helmsdale about 1Km west of Kinbrace (see PDF)and is part of the B871 that links Strathnaver and Strath Halladale. As well as a route for the public this is a critical section for the transport of timber from Strathnaver and beyond.
Note the modular bridge is a Mabey Compact 200. I am sure many people will recognise the similarities between this and the old style British army Bailey Bridges which did so much, and in some areas still do, sterling service in many areas of Scotland. No doubt some people will have crossed these types of bridges during the war when they were erected over many rivers when the crossings had been destroyed.
Any more stories of Bailey bridges in the forest very welcome.
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Groups: Caithness and Sutherland, Groups of people, Road and Bridge Engineers and Works