Monymusk, 1879 (continued)

2005, prior to demolition

We don't know when the first Harper bridge was built, however 20 bridges had been made between about the late 1860's and the Monymusk bridge of 1879, according to press reports at the time. It is of significance that this report mentions that by 1879 bridges had been erected all over the UK, the colonies, India and Australia. As yet few records have been found of these early bridges.

Photo by kind permission of David Denenberg.  

The titles 'swing bridge' or 'shakkin briggie' were common terms for these bridges.

Bottom , the 'swing bridge' at Monymusk. Note that the timber masts have been replaced by paired 'I' girders complete with the Harper finial atop.