Tarbet’s “Faerie Bridge”, badly damaged by a falling tree during the recent storms, is to be replaced this Spring thanks to a combination of local volunteer effort, together with funding from the Dr Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust. The Friends of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs will supervise the Springtime construction work and act as funding broker.
Friends’ Trustee and Tarbet resident, Duncan MacLachlan, said;
“This has been a great example of what a small rural community can accomplish when people work together. A bridge to cross Tarbet Burn was originally constructed by families on upper Tighloan for them to get to and from the local School, Shop, Post Office and Bus Stops at the A82/A83 Junction. When it fell into disrepair it was fully reconstructed in 2005 by a Training Support Squadron of Sappers from the Royal Engineers, in response to a Services Veteran request. More recently it had its decking and handrails replaced which had begun to rot and was unsafe, so, in a way, the gales have done us a favour, as some dangerous trees have been removed and the old all-timber bridge will now be completely replaced, with a much stronger, modern structure supported on steel joists.”
Local volunteers led by Ian and Kenny Kay are in the process of completing preparatory tree clearing work, so that dismantling the old and reconstructing the new structure, can begin in the next month or two. Experienced Gartocharn based contractor, David McKenzie, will carry out the bridge reconstruction.
