Notes:

• BSI: Originally erected in the form of a traditional suspension bridge, but soon reinforced with wire stays from much larger towers to reduce unwanted motion. Destroyed by flood, 1839.

Notes:

• May have been rebuilt around 1850. History of the bridge is unclear between the 1838 collapse and replacement in 1872.
• This 1818 bridge was a replacement for the 1817 Dryburgh Abbey suspension bridge which appears to have been primarily a cable-stayed structure and is not included in the inventory. The 1817 bridge failed due to wind in early 1818.
• Later at same location 1872 Dryburgh Abbey - Dryburgh and St. Boswells, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008269

Notes:

• 2007, March: Closed after a hanger snapped in high winds. Repaired and reopened August, 2007.
• 2020, October: Closed for major renovation and conservation project.
• 2023, April: The bridge is reopened.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1826 Menai Strait - Menai Bridge and Bangor vicinity, Wales, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Conservation - Union Chain Bridge - unionchainbridge.org. Site devoted to the 2020-2023 renovation project. This page lists the highlights of the project.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000162

Notes:

• SBR: Chain pier extending into 700 feet into the Forth, with three main spans each of 209 feet. Wrecked by storm, 1898.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008327

Notes:

• Steel cables added, 1992.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20010131

Notes:

• SBR: March 19, 1830, with a "crowd of people, estimated at 700, ... watching a boat race," a chain broke "plunging most of the people into the river." Repaired.
• 1838: Wrecked by storm. Repaired.

Notes:

• Completed 1830 or 1832.

Notes:

• Was still standing in 1938 when it was bypassed, but was likely demolished some time in 1938.

Notes:

• Reconstructed, 1930. Closed to vehicular traffic, 1984. Closed to all traffic 2002. Underwent extensive refurbishment, 2008.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021612

Notes:

• Small iron chain suspension bridge.
• BSI: Reported to have been "almost entirely renewed", 1885. Ruddock also suggests the bridge was originally constructed with just diagonal stays (as other Justice bridges) and the catenary chains were added during the renewal.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 56. Crathie Suspension Bridge (after the flood)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20070665

Notes:

• Coordinates are for the present-day (2020) bridge at this location, the replacement for the bridge that replaced the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge was either on the identical alignment of the current bridge or immediately adjacent.

Notes:

• Damaged by flood, 1876, and 1920. Reconstructed, 1921-1922. "Stranded" by shift in river's course, 1970's and 1980's, sweeping away southern approach spans. Deck removed, 1984.
• Known locally as "Shakin' Briggie" or "Shakkin' Briggie," but also referred to as Morrison Bridge and St. Devenick's Bridge.
• Restoration under consideration, 2005.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 1. The Shakkin' Briggie
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021622

Notes:

• Design based on James Dredge's taper principle patent.

Notes:

• 1928: Deck replaced. The aging suspension system was bypassed and the new deck supported by additional piers.
• Similar to 1854 Oich (Aberchalder) - Invergarry vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• 1853 sometimes cited as the year it opened.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20026278

Notes:

• Dredge patent bridge.

Notes:

• Relocated to a nearby park (Whin Park) where it carries a miniature railway, 1988. The coordinates listed here are for that later (miniature railway park) location.
• Companion to 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015977

Notes:

• Companion to 1853 General's Well - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Restored and re-opened, late 1990's.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004764

Notes:

• Also sometimes attributed to Neil "Robinson" and completed 1853. May have originally been a narrow vehicular bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021611

Notes:

• Near 1881 Greig Street (Wobbly) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom. In some photos, the two bridges are visible within a few hundred yards of each other.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015973

Notes:

• 2022, May: Closed again for maintenance and inspection, reopened by month's end.
• AAJ lists the bridge at "Corry Halloch" bridge completed in 1875. Other sources mention 1867, and 1874.
• 1977: Anchorages replaced (HBR).
• 2021: Closed September 10 due to safety concerns. Repaired and re-opened in October.

Notes:

• HARPER: Likely destroyed by one of these major Dee River flood events: May 1913, December 1914, October 1920.

External Links:

• Waterside of Aboyne | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Collapsed soon after it was completed under weight of 200 spectators.
• Replaced by 1873 Boatford - Langholm, Borders, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Tanarmouth | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• At former location of 1818 Dryburgh Abbey - Dryburgh and St. Boswells, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Near Mertoun Estate - Mertoun, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Replaced by 1911 Dryburgh Abbey - Dryburgh and St. Boswells, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20016083

Notes:

• Coordinates are approximate location of the bridge based on the description in HARPER noting the bridge crossed the railway at the estate of a Colonel Sandeman at Ravenscraig which is the location of the present day (2020) Ravenscraig Gardens in Dundee.

External Links:

• Ravenscraig | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Replaced 1871 Boatford - Langholm, Borders, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021603

Notes:

• 2020, November: Highland Council likely to close bridge if funding for urgent repairs cannot be raised.
• 2021, July: Reopened after interim repairs completed. Future major refurbishment expected.
• Companion to 1881 Greig Street (Wobbly) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Annotated Citations:

• Glen, Louise. “Closure Fears for Iconic Inverness Bridge Facing Huge Repair Bill.” Inverness Courier, 21 Apr. 2021, www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/closure-fears-for-iconic-inverness-bridge-facing-huge-repair-235713/.
  

  "Fears have been raised that decades of under investment in an iconic city bridge could see it closed permanently. Members of Ballifeary Community Council believe the cost of fixing and upgrading the Infirmary Bridge to bring it up to modern standards may be more than £1 million..."

• Duncan, Ian. "The future of Infirmary Bridge secured into the 2040s as Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today agrees up to £550,000 in funding for repairs." Inverness Courier, 05 May 2021, www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/the-future-of-infirmary-bridge-secured-into-the-2040s-237340/.
  

  "Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed today to include up to £550,000 for repairs for Infirmary Bridge… 'It will be 2022 before the repairs are completed, but once done the bridge's life will be extended for a further 20 to 25 years.'"

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005174

External Links:

• Monymusk | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• 2015, December: Destroyed by flooding during Storm Frank.
• Replaced by Birkhall - Birkhall, Ballater, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Birkhall | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Completed c. 1880. Douglas Harper writes: "The original bridge was built by Harper & Co, Aberdeen, around 1880 and its timber pylons were replaced with cast iron ones. In 1979 when overloaded during a raft race a bank stay cable failed and a major rebuild was undertaken by the local authority. This version was similar to its predecessor but was repalced in 2005 by a cable stayed bridge."
• Replaced by 1980 Shakin - Burnhervie, Inverurie vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Burnhervie | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Replaced by 1894 Cromdale - Cromdale, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Companion to 1879 Infirmary - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Near 1855 Ness - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom. In some photos, the two bridges are visible within a few hundred yards of each other.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005173

Notes:

• William Craig describes the bridge, "A wood and angle iron deck supported from two pairs of wire cables and rod suspenders. The railings are of light woven wire. Pylons with ornamental heads are of lattice gider construction on concrete bases five miles west of Ballater, Scotland."
• Was already derelict before December 2015 flooding (Storm Frank) that severely damaged several River Dee bridges. Dave Cooper writes in early 2016: "The bridge's southern tower and its base are gone. The river bank has eroded back to within feet of the grade one listed Abergeldie Castle. Seat of Baron Abergeldie."

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 57. Abergeldie Castle Bridge (after the flood)

Notes:

• HARPER: Some remnants of the bridge still present, 2006.

External Links:

• Craighall | Harper Bridges

External Links:

• Nairn | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Closed May 2015 for repairs. Reopened October, 2015.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 19. Polhollick Suspension Bridge
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 44. Polhollick Bridge (revisited)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021613

Notes:

• Replaced 2014. One tower remains as a monument to the Harper bridge.

External Links:

• Dorrator | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Towers replaced, at some point. Unclear how much of the present-day (2020) bridge is original.

External Links:

• Feugh Lodge | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Replaced 1881 Cromdale - Cromdale, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Restored early 1990s, but has since fallen into disrepair and is closed. Unusual main "cables" appear to be steel rods or some kind of segmented rigid steel members.

Notes:

• 2021, October 28: Destroyed by flood.

Notes:

• Closed, 2011. Sign posted at the bridge in 2011 stated "No pedestrians beyond this point. Footbridge Closed. Imminent Danger of Collapse."
• Most news stories on the bridge's condition state it was closed continuously, due to deteriorating conditions, from 2011 through 2015, but this was not entirely accurate. The bridge was open in August 2014, but restricted to two people at a time (see accompanying photo sets). Closed again, sometime soon after. Contract awarded for refurbishment, April 2015.

Notes:

• 1988: Refurbished (HBR)
• 2015, December: Damaged by the River Dee flood caused by Storm Frank. Closed indefinitely. Repairs expected to start in 2020.
• 2020, August 31: Repairs underway, expected to be completed in approximately 16 weeks.
• 2020, December: Storm Frank repairs now expected to be completed in January 2021.
• 2021, January: Completion of repairs delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic "stay at home" recommendations.
• 2021, April 1: Repairs completed, bridge reopened.

External Links:

• Cambus O' May | Harper Bridges
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 20. Cambus O'May Footbridge
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 43. Cambus O' May Bridge (revisited)
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 55. Cambus O'May Bridge (after the flood)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20019638

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20019637

Notes:

• Although the current (as of 2021) Dryburgh Abbey bridge is often attributed to 1872, it more closely resembles bridges built starting in the 1890s.
• Replaced 1872 Dryburgh Abbey - Dryburgh and St. Boswells, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Near Mertoun Estate - Mertoun, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 15. Dryburgh Abbey Footbridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20016083

Notes:

• Plaques posted at the bridge indicate major refurbishments in 1982 and 2001.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20071786

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist - Scottish Bridges: 48. Garbh Allt Shiel Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021615

Notes:

• December 4, 2015: Closed to all traffic because of structural issues. Reopened for lighter traffic, December 23, 2015. Fully reopened February 20, 2016.
• September 5, 2017: All traffic diverted to newly-opened nearby Queensferry Crossing. Closed completely for repairs. Reopened February 1, 2018 but restricted to public transportation (buses and taxis), pedestrians, and cyclists.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000300

Notes:

• Replaced by a cable-stayed bridge, 2005.
• Replaced 1880 Burnhervie - Burnhervie, Inverurie vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• This is not the popular wire rope crossing at Glen Nevis which is literally three ropes -- two to hold onto and one to walk on. Instead, this listing is a traditional suspension footbridge just north of Glen Nevis.
• Don McGillivray worked on this bridge and sent information about its construction.

  "The Suspension bridge was principally built by five Royal Engineers from 15 Field Support Squadron Royal Engineers in the summer of 1982. They were Sapper Terry Bradley (Metal workworker) Sapper Paul Brookes (Draughtsman), Sapper Ian Duggan (Surveyor), Sapper Taff Green (Draughtsman) Sapper Don McGillivray (Blacksmith).

  "The pier footings and anchorages were excavated by hand as the plant machines were being used on another project at Caol and upriver at the priority bridge opposite the YMCA.The Accrow shuttering and Re-bar was humped and Concrete was pumped across the river over a series of aluminium Mk4 assualt boats. Once the concrete cured, the steel work, provided by Highland Engineering was manhandled across the river using the same boats. The steel uprights and main cable were raised and positioned using a block and tackle from a wooden Gyn. The main cables were anchored on the east bank and were tensioned on the west bank using two tirfor winches. The hangers and stringers were strung out from the west bank in a series like stepping stones until the decking could be positioned.

  "The Bridge took five weeks start to finish the best part of the build was the weather which was hot and as we were constantly dropping tools etc. in the river, you had to jump in after it. We later moved up to finish the two span through deck bridge at the YMCA. This bridge replaced an old narrow bridge that used to be a part of a WW2 Mulberry Harbour section."

Notes:

• One of two footbridges in the Ness Islands near the locations of the two 1853 Ness Islands bridges. This one has towers that are more in the river than the other 1988 bridge.
• Near 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 General's Well - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015976

Notes:

• One of two footbridges in the Ness Islands near the locations of the two 1853 Ness Islands bridges. This one has towers set back from the river.
• Near 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 General's Well - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015975

Notes:

• Near Victoria (Penny, Aberlour) - Charlestown of Aberlour and Wester Elchies, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Appears to have been largely destroyed at some point in the 2019-2021 time frame.

Notes:

• Sign at bridge reads: "Reconstructed by the Territorial Army in 1975."
• Replaced, likely in 2014.
• Replaced by (footbridge) - Contin vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Replaced (footbridge) - Contin vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom. Likely erected in 2014.

Notes:

• Likely removed. Exact location unknown but appears to have been in the vicinity of Danaglar Castle.

Notes:

• Very short footbridge.
• Near Milton - Dunbeath, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Removed at some point in the 2011-2021 time frame and replaced with a non-suspension bridge.

Notes:

• Likely built in 1960s or 1970s.

Notes:

• Crosses the waterway connecting Loch Voil and Loch Lubnaig.
• Damaged by flood and subsequently rebuilt, 2017.

Notes:

• 2014: Heavily damaged by a storm. Repaired.

Notes:

• HBR notes this bridge as 'remains of a former suspension bridge' located 'in the next field' from the Tomintoul footbridge.
• Near Tomintoul - Tomintoul, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Built at some point in the 2016-2020 time frame as a reproduction of the Harper bridge destroyed by flood in December 2015.
• Replaced 1880 Birkhall - Birkhall, Ballater, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• The coordinates provided here appear to be the likely location of this bridge. The current (as of the 2020s) bridge dates to 1902. The linked postcard image for "Suspension Bridge Burnfoot" is postmarked from nearby Langholm (in 1908).

External Links:

• BURNFOOT BRIDGE (LB16925) - Historic Environment Scotland. Notes the current (1902) bridge is said to have been preceded by a suspension bridge completed in 1810 (unlikely) or possibly 1836 (more likely) per a datestone at the site.

External Links:

• River Lossie and Cooper Park from Deanshaugh Bridge, Elgin - Collections | University of St Andrews

Notes:

• Completed 1920s.

External Links:

• Elvanfoot Suspension Bridge, Elvanfoot | Buildings at Risk Register

Notes:

• Provides access to Kendoon Power Station near Kendoon Loch. One of two suspension bridges at this location.
• Was closed for repairs in 2010, reopened by 2012.
• Near Kendoon II - Kendoon, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Provides access to Kendoon Power Station near Kendoon Loch. One of two suspension bridges at this location.
• Closed for repairs in 2010, reopened by 2012.
• Near Kendoon I - Kendoon, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• HBR notes several other light footbridges in this area. Dave Cooper noted there are likely five River Helmsdale suspension bridges (including this one) in this area.