Festive celebration planned to mark 50th anniversary of official opening of Bonar bridge

By Caroline McMorran

Published: 18:00, 05 November 2023

| Updated: 18:48, 05 November 2023

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Plans are being laid for a bumper festive celebration to mark 50 years since the opening of the existing Bonar bridge.

The original bridge was destroyed in a flood in 1892 but rebuilt in 1893 and the current bridge was opened in December 1973.

The Northern Times edition of December 14, 1973. The front page article informs readers that the new £450,000 Bonar Bridge is to be opened that day by Mr Gordon Campbell, Secretary of State for Scotland. The picture shows the new bridge overshadowing its single track predecessor, built in 1892, and which was later demolished.

The Northern Times edition of December 21, 1973, carries an article about the official opening of the Bonar Bridge.

A new group ‘Kyle Action Group Christmas Lights’ was formed some months ago to plan for a community celebration on Saturday, December 2.

It is intended to hold a ‘Jingle and Mingle’ event from 4pm that day. It is understood there will be a pipe band performance and a fireworks display, but details have still to be given.

The group has just put out a call for tractor owners/drivers to join a ‘flash mob’ as part of the celebrations, with a prize to be awarded for the best decorated tractor.

In addition a Christmas-themed treasure hunt is being organised in Balblair And Gearrchoille Woods from November 25 to December 6.

Funding has been sourced from Creich Community Council; Beinn Tharsuinn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund; Coire na Cloiche Community Benefit Fund; and the National Lottery Fund.

The funding will also go towards paying for the events and also new light displays for Bonar Bridge.

Pupils at Bonar Bridge Primary School were asked to create a picture incorporating Christmas and the bridge which is to be made into a new street light.

The Kyle Action Group posted on its Facebook page: “The designs were amazing and we would like to thank the pupils and staff from the school for supporting this.”

The existing bridge, which cost £450,000 to construct, was opened on Friday, December 14, by the Rt. Hon Gordon Campbell, Secretary of State for Scotland, who unveiled a memorial cairn.

Its striking design, described as a “tied bow string single span with steel arch” was said to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

For more information on the celebration, visit the Kyle Action Group Christmas Lights Facebook page.

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