FROM THE ARCHIVES: Highland Archive Centre documents reveal Infirmary Bridge in Inverness had a shaky start

Throughout last month, the Highland Archive Centre has been showcasing archival documents with a travel and transport theme, writes the centre’s Jennifer Johnstone.

To round off, we are looking at the Infirmary Bridge in Inverness, which has been helping pedestrians travel across the River Ness for over 140 years.

In addition to its present designation, the Infirmary Bridge has been known and referred to by several names; the Haugh, Ness Walk, or Upper footbridge.

In 1876 a Committee of Subscribers, which included Bishop Eden, Sheriff Blair and Mr Walter Carruthers – proprietor of the Inverness Courier – informed the Town Council that funds were in place and requested permission for construction to commence.

The designer was local engineer and architect Mr C. R. Manners and the bridge was to be built by William Smith, proprietor of the Ness Iron Works who operated from premises in Theatre Lane (now Hamilton Street).

Before granting permission, the council engaged Mr William Paterson, another local engineer, to review the plans. Paterson recommended that the structure be raised by a further two feet three inches so that the "roadway would not be submerged should the river again reach the level of the great flood of 1868."

On account of this the council agreed to contribute £100 to the subscription fund and the bridge (which cost a total of £1166) was opened 18 months later.

Following heavy gales in November 1881 the bridge was reported to be in poor condition, some of the suspension rods were broken, others were detached from the walkway and the supporting piers were in danger of being washed away.

The council instructed the Burgh Surveyor to undertake a full survey and make recommendations as to the strength and safety of the structure.

However Mr Manners declined to co-operate and refused to release the plans. In May 1882, faced with a heavy repair bill, mounting debt and the threat of closure, the subscribers petitioned the council to take over the bridge and pay off the debt, offering to pay £200 towards this.

The council agreed on condition that the subscribers obtain the plans and allow the survey to go ahead. The report published in December of the same year concluded that the bridge was of marginal specification, inferior material had been used in its construction and remedial work was estimated at £280.

The bridge was formally transferred into the ownership of Inverness Town Council to be maintained on behalf of the public on September 22, 1883.

Moving into September, we will be focussing on life stories and families.

Our popular Learn with Lorna series (broadcast live on our Facebook pages every Thursday at 11am) will be looking at Stories of Migration; a Passion for Conservation: the Jane Durham Collection; the Life and Letters of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat; Further Extracts from the Asylum Records; and James Mowat: a WWII Escape Story. We hope you can join us!

Previous talks are available by going to YouTube and searching for Archives Learn with Lorna.

The Highland Archive Centre is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To make a booking or to enquire about remote archive or family history research, email archives@highlifehighland.com, call 01349 781130 or visit www.highlifehighland.com/archives-service.

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