Scalpay Bridge

Scalpay Bridge

Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid Scalpaigh
The bridge seen from the west
Coordinates57°52′48″N 6°41′47″W / 57.88°N 6.69644°W / 57.88; -6.69644
Carries A859 
CrossesSound of Scalpay
Named forScalpay
Characteristics
MaterialSteel composite
Total length300m[1]
Longest span170m[2]
No. of spansThree
History
DesignerHalcrow Crouch
Construction cost£6.4m[1]
Opened16 December 1997
Inaugurated28 August 1998[3]
ReplacesScalpay ferry
Location
Interactive map of Scalpay Bridge

The Scalpay Bridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid Scalpaigh) is a road bridge over the Sound of Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, connecting the island of Scalpay to Lewis and Harris, the largest island in Scotland. The crossing forms part of the A859.

The bridge replaced the ferry that traditionally went between Kyles Scalpay and Scalpay itself, crossing the Sound of Scalpay. The first person to cross the bridge was 103 year old Kirsty Morrison, at the time the oldest resident of Scalpay. However, it was officially opened in August 1998, when Prime Minister Tony Blair opened the bridge.[4]

The bridge cost £6.4 million to build,[1] and was in large part funded by the European Union.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Feasibility study and Hydrodynamic review of Cuan Sound, Version 3. Report to Luing Community Council. Issued by Aquatera Ltd" (PDF). Localenergy.scot. March 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "A Review of the Susceptibility of the Scalpay Bridge to Aerodynamic Effects" (PDF). Eprints.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Great to be first in line. Blair visit". The Herald. 1 September 1998. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Scalpay Bridge from The Gazetteer for Scotland". Scottish-places.info. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
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