Albert, Connel and Forth Bridges Artworks.

The major plus point to my job is that as a long distance lorry driver I get to see many parts of the United Kingdom I wouldn't get the chance to see. Because of this I get to photograph, sketch and create artworks of these places I visit. I recently set about creating a set of bridge pictures and the first 4 can now be seen below and on Clickasnap. They are based on pictures I have taken on my travels, in this case around Scotland and on 1 occasion to Northern Ireland.

There are 4 artworks to see below, they can also be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked on Clickasnap. Copies can also be purchased if you require, just follow the link under each picture.

Connel Bridge, Oban, Scotland.

Built as a railway crossing over Loch Etive in Western Scotland, the Connel Bridge was opened in August 1903 by the Callander and Oban Railway to carry the Ballachulish Branch Line at a cost of £43000. In 1914 a roadway was added and the bridge was then used by both motor vehicles and rail traffic, however trains had priority and the roadway was closed whenever to vehicles whenever rail transport passed over. This continued until the railway was closed in the late 1960's. The bridge is still single track with traffic lights enforcing the right of way.

Connel Bridge is cantilever in design and has a span of 524 ft, it has a height restriction of 14ft. Near to the bridge are the Falls or Lora, because of the strong tidal flow caused by these the bridge was designed the way it was built. The A828 road runs across the bridge and Oban Airport is a little to the north.

The Forth Bridge

Opened in 1890, the Forth Bridge crossers the Firth of Forth to the east of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is often referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge, but its official name is the Forth Bridge due to it being the first crossing to be constructed connecting North and South Queensferry, the other 2 road crossing opening in 1964 and 2017. The Bridge is a UNESCO world Heritage site and probably the most famous man made construction in Scotland. It was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker, with construction starting in 1882 and at its height involving over 4600 men employed in the building of it.

The Bridge was completed in December 1889, and after tests were completed was officially opened by the Duke of Rothesay on March 4 1890 when he drove home the final gold plated rivet.

Built in a cantilever design, it has a total length of 8094ft, a maximum width of 120ft at the piers, a height of 316ft, and allows a clearance of 150ft at high water mark for ships to pass underneath.

Albert Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Albert Bridge was completed in 1890 and crossers the River Lagan near the centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Designed by JC Bretland to replace an earlier bridge that had collapsed in 1886, the bridge cost £36,500 (£5200000 in 2022 Value) to build and is named after Prince Albert Victor, the Grandson of Queen Victoria.

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All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

A Journey Across History: The Kincardine Bridge

I've just uploaded a new video to YouTube showcasing a crossing of the Kincardine Bridge in both directions, filmed in November 2019. This bridge isn't just a convenient route; it's a fascinating piece of Scottish engineering history!

Connecting Communities Across the Forth

The Kincardine Bridge spans the River Forth, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Edinburgh. For a long time, it was the closest road crossing to Scotland's capital until the Forth Road Bridge opened its lanes in 1964. Even today, the Kincardine Bridge serves as a vital alternative crossing to both the Forth Road Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing whenever they face closures or restrictions due to accidents or severe weather. This vital link connects the boroughs of Falkirk and Fife, facilitating countless journeys every day.

A Tale of Ingenuity and Unexpected Delays

Construction of the Kincardine Bridge took place between 1932 and 1936, under the watchful eyes of designers Sir Alexander Gibb and architect Donald Watson. Its opening was even delayed due to a dramatic incident in February 1935, when a steamship unfortunately crashed into the ongoing construction!

The decision to build the bridge was driven by a significant increase in traffic at Stirling Bridge, which, prior to the Kincardine Bridge, was the nearest crossing point on the Forth (other than by ferry). Traffic levels at Stirling had surged from around 150 vehicles per hour in 1922 to over 400 per hour by 1932 – a clear sign that a new solution was desperately needed.

One of the most remarkable features of the Kincardine Bridge was its central 364ft section, designed to operate as a swing bridge. This allowed ships to pass through to the Port of Alloa. This swing section remained in use until 1988 and was finally locked shut in 1989. While the mechanics are still present to operate it, it's highly unlikely it will ever swing open again.

The bridge itself boasts an impressive total length of 2697ft and was constructed at a cost of £327,000. While it's still very much in use today, its role as the primary bridge crossing was taken over in 2008 by the Clackmannanshire Bridge, a more modern marvel that cost a substantial £120 million to complete.

So, the next time you cross the Kincardine Bridge, take a moment to appreciate its rich history and the significant role it has played in connecting Scotland. 

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A Winter's Tale: Delivering Doors to the Edge of Argyll

Some journeys are simply about getting from A to B. Others, however, embed themselves in your memory, transforming a routine task into an unexpected adventure. Such was the case for a delivery driver in December 2015, whose route to Portavadie, Argyll & Bute, Scotland, unfolded into a stunning photographic odyssey.

The Unlikeliest of Photo Opportunities

It was the 15th of December, 2015, and the mission was to deliver doors to a redevelopment project near the picturesque Portavadie Marina. The delivery vehicle, laden with its cargo, set off from McInroy's Point, Gourock, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. Little did the driver know, this trip across Scotland’s west coast, a distance of just over 30 miles, would become a memorable visual record. Armed with a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera, a tool not typically associated with professional landscape photography, a series of remarkable images were captured. The foresight to "snap a number of pictures," driven by the realization that this remote and beautiful area might never be revisited by me, proved to be a stroke of genius.

A Journey Through Scotland's Heart

The journey itself was a masterclass in Scottish scenery. After crossing the Firth, the route meandered along a series of A and B roads, each bend revealing a new vista. This wasn't a high-speed dash; it was a winding exploration through some of Scotland's most breath taking landscapes. The path wove through a scattering of small settlements, each with its own quiet charm, offering glimpses into local life.

The drive also encompassed a number of significant natural landmarks. The imposing Tarsan Dam stood as a testament to human engineering amidst the wild terrain, while the tranquil waters of Kylies of Bute, Holy Loch, Riddon Loch, and Striven Loch mirrored the dramatic skies of a Scottish winter. These lochs, with their dark, still surfaces and surrounding rugged hills, provided a stark yet beautiful contrast to the task at hand – delivering doors.

Capturing the Ephemeral

December in Argyll & Bute is a time of dramatic light and often moody skies. The pictures, taken in 2015, likely capture the crisp air, the low winter sun, and perhaps even the hint of frost on the landscape. A bridge camera, while not a professional DSLR, offers a good balance of features for capturing a wide range of scenes, making it an ideal companion for an impromptu photographic expedition. The resulting images, though taken by chance, serve as a powerful reminder of the unexpected beauty found on even the most routine of working days.

This delivery, far from being just another job, transformed into an impromptu photography tour, showcasing the rugged beauty of Argyll & Bute and proving that sometimes, the most memorable experiences are found on the road less travelled – or in this case, on a delivery route to the very edge of Scotland's stunning west coast.

The clip features all the images in a slide show video. The images below are a selection of the ones pictured on Flickr and Clickasnap that were taken on the journey. The rest can be seen on the Flickr album or video above.

Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

McInroy's Point.

Gourock - Dunoon ferry.

Ardnadam Pier.

Tarsan Dam.

Loch Striven.

The previous 3 images are of the Kyles of Bute.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Photo4Me and Clickasnap using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.