One man and his bridge
Helensburgh and District Access Trust Press Release
On Monday 13th September, in a ceremony attended by over 50 local people, as well as business and community representatives, NatureScot Chair Dr Mike Cantlay joined forces with Sir Malcolm Colquhoun to open a new bridge on the Three Lochs Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails.
The Three Lochs Way is one of the shortest of the country’s “Great Trails”, high quality off road routes which make it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to explore some of the finest landscapes Scotland has to offer.
A safe crossing of the Tighness Burn near Arrochar had long been on the wish list of Helensburgh and District Access Trust, the charity which conceived of and now manages the Three Lochs Way.
“In spate, the burn can be can be difficult to cross, said Trust Convener, John Urquhart, adding,
“We have always recommended walkers to ford the burn, but some were using a nearby, but far from ideal water main support gantry to cross, so providing a proper bridge had been a priority for many years.”
“NatureScot provided the bulk of the funds, but significant contributions also came from the footpath charity’s own resources as well as the landowner, Luss Estates and The Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Charitable Trust which specialises in supporting good works in the Loch Lomond area.”
“It is a ‘Rural Bridges’ design by engineer Geoff Freedman”, said Mr Urquhart , who then sadly quoted from a note sent by Mr Freedman saying he couldn’t attend the ceremony as he had terminal cancer:
“It is a truly spectacular site with the waterfall and a definite asset to the walk. ….the other interests a bridge fulfils (is how) it should not dominate the landscape, but merge and enhance it. This bridge does that in this location. It will be one of my last bridges – I am pleased it turned out so well.”
Mr Urquhart went on to say,
“The bridge was completed earlier this year by contractor Robert McKendry who worked entirely on his own throughout the Covid restrictions. Given the difficulty and remoteness of the site, the completion of such a demanding project by one man is a truly remarkable achievement”.
The ribbon cutting was a double act carried out with much humour by NatureScot Chair, Dr Mike Cantlay and Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss Estates.
Dr Cantlay reminded the company that this was the second time he had cut a ribbon on the Three Lochs Way, the last time being over ten years ago when as chair of the tourism body, VisitScotland, he had come to Glen Fruin to open the then newly established “Highlandman’s Road” section of the route.
“Since then I am delighted to say that The Three Lochs Way has gone from strength to strength and has been granted Great Trail recognition”, he said, further noting that
“The route is now so popular that NatureScot had recently recommended it for Post Covid Green Recovery Funding as the surface had been suffering from the passage of so many feet.”
Sir Malcolm said,
“With over a third of the route within Luss Estates land we feel a special responsibility for the “Three Lochs Way”. I am also particularly proud of the good relationships which have been built up over the years between The Estate and the Access Trust, so when they came to us looking for permission to bridge the burn here we didn’t hesitate to offer our whole hearted support”.
After the ribbon cutting, the Contractor, Robert McKendry, unveiled a plaque honouring the funders and naming the structure (to Robert’s surprise) as “Robert’s Bridge” - in recognition of his outstanding work.
The total cost of Robert’s Bridge approaches £50,000.
In 2010 the Trust publicised the "Three Lochs Way", a long distance route first conceived of by its now deceased secretary, Alan Day, in 1991.
To date the Trust has created and upgraded 12 km of paths and walking routes in the immediate vicinity of Helensburgh and with the Three Lochs Way, is actively engaged on a further 50 km. To date it has raised over £250,000 which has been invested in access works for the benefit of this and future generations.
