Monymusk, R. Don, 1879

Monymusk 1879

Monymusk was one of the local estates that asked Harper & Co to bridge the River Don in Aberdeenshire. The bridge is seen here looking north, upstream towards Bennachie. (NJ679179) The main cables must pass through the pine masts to gain the tension box mounted on the far side of the mast.  The same arrangements holds for the stay cables from the bank anchorages to the tops of the masts, and for the deck cables.

Daily Free Press, Tuesday October 28, 1879.

'New Bridge over the Don at Monymusk. We have just received from Messrs Harper & Co., of the Albion Ironworks, Aberdeen, an admirable photograph of the really handsome wire bridge the erection of which they have just completed at Monymusk. The pitch of perfection to which the patentees have now brought their wire bridges is specially noticeable in this, the last of these structures which has come from their hands. The span is of no less than 107 feet, while the breadth is 4 feet. These bridges, light, airy and elegant as they appear in construction, are really of great strength. They are constructed on precisely the same principle as the common suspension bridge, and their safety and utility have been proved not only in all parts of the country, but also in India and the colonies, and, indeed, at the present moment the patentees are engaged in the construction of two bridges of similar design for Australia. In this particular instance the bridge, which has been erected by Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk, will be of great use to the ordinary wayfarer and also to the tenentry on the estate. The bridge is distant about two miles and a half from Monymusk station, and is close to the entrance of the grand old forest, so widely known by the name of Old Parardise. The special purpose of its erection is to facilitate intercourse between the two sawmills of Ramstone and Ord Mill, which are on opposite banks of the river, and the connection between which had up to this time been effected by a rude bridge of trees supported by a large boulder in the centre of the stream. The scenery all round about is particularly fine, and the bridge seems to add to rather than detract from the beauty of the scene. The erection of the structure was superintended by Mr John Harper, of Seafield, and as showing the skill and celerity with which such work may now be carried out it may be mentioned that the bridge was fitted up and ready for use within a fortnight.'
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