GALLERY: Unseen photos of Kessock Bridge revealed to mark 40th anniversary of official opening
We've been hearing from North Kessock residents and MFR's former Chief Engineer, as it was our first large outside broadcast
Last updated 5th Aug 2022
Previously unseen archive photos of the Kessock bridge have been unveiled to mark the 40th anniversary of the crossing's official opening.
On August 6th 1982, the Queen Mother spoke at the bridge after it was opened to traffic the month before.
We've been hearing from North Kessock residents about the time leading up to its opening, the ceremony and fond memories of using a ferry to get across the Beauly Firth.
Our former Chief Engineer has also been reflecting on the opening ceremony, as it was MFR's first large outside broadcast.
"Excitement" around bridge being built
The crossing over the Beauly Firth is some 1,056 metres long, and took four years to build at a cost of about £25 million - the equivalent of more than £100 million today.
The cable-stayed bridge was given a Saltire Society civil engineering award in 1983 and was listed as a Category B structure in 2019, recognising the its unique architectural and technical features.
Bruce and Carol Adams moved to North Kessock in 1968 and have fond memories of the bridge opening.
Bruce said: "When we heard the bridge was happening, we got quite excited.
"Part of it was like the expression, 'watching a kettle to boil'.
"The bridge, not only for North Kessock, really opened up the gates for tourism.
"It really opened up the North of Scotland, it has been a great asset."
Carol also recalled how the bridge opening to traffic and the ceremony itself was particularly special for her family.
She said: "We went away on holiday by the boat, and came back by the bridge.
"Our boys were so excited coming over the bridge to come back to Bellfield road.
"I remember standing outside the Kessock Hotel, with all the other young mums, babies, pushchairs, and boys on their bikes.
"It was quite exciting.
"Although I don’t remember seeing much of the Queen mother, she scooted back and forth and that was it."
Before 1982, those north of Inverness either had to drive round the Black Isle, or take the ferry from North to South Kessock.
Carol said the latter option had its advantages and disadvantages.
She said: "The boat was quite a social thing and you used to get births, deaths and marriages.
"Quite honestly, there was nothing nicer coming home on a summer’s evening and there was a sunset.
"You used to get out of your car, stand and think ‘how lucky are we.’
“But then on other occasions, you came down to the queue and you wouldn’t get on.
"I'd be cursing like mad!"
MFR's first large OB
Less than six months after we first started broadcasting, the station held its first ever large outside broadcast to cover the Kessock Bridge opening ceremony.
Former MFR Chief Engineer Donnie Aird explained why he was nervous covering the event.
He said: "We didn't have the equipment then that we have nowadays to do this.
"It was all done by landlines and various other things, apart from bits of string and tin cans.
“Not very long before the ceremony was due to take place, I discovered MFR’s microphone on the stand wasn’t working and I had to approach the Secretary State of Scotland to get permission to go and check what was wrong with it.
“Luckily I got it going and everything went alright after that.
“We were covering the North of Scotland and we trying to convey to the people what was happening in the local area.
"It was a big event for the North of Scotland, especially the building and opening of the Kessock Bridge.
“It was of major interest to the people of the North of Scotland, and Scotland as a whole."
The Scottish Roads Archive, in partnership with Transport Scotland released the series of archive photos showing the construction and early days of the Kessock Bridge.
Stuart Baird, from the Scottish Roads Archive, said: "The Kessock Bridge has become a much loved landmark both in Inverness and across the north of Scotland.
"Forty years on, it remains an impressive feat of civil engineering and one of the country's most recognisable crossings."