Kessock Bridge is awarded listed structure status
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FOR more than three-and-a-half decades it has been the gateway to Inverness for anyone travelling by road from Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross – and now it has been awarded listed status.
The Kessock Bridge was given a category B classification by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) after it was recognised as being of special architectural interest.
It was the first multi-cable-stayed bridge to be built in the UK, and at the time of its completion in 1982 was the largest of its type in Europe. The bridge was also among the first to apply special "quake-proof" technology, designed to allow for seismic and geological movement from the Great Glen Fault.
It is the third bridge in Scotland to be listed by HES in the past 12 months, following the Erskine and Kylesku crossings.
The Kessock Bridge won the combined design and construction Saltire Award in 1983, the year after it opened to traffic.
Elizabeth McCrone, head of designations at HES, said: “I’m delighted that another example of Scotland’s remarkable heritage of bridge construction has become a listed structure.
“One of the many innovations of the Kessock Bridge was its ability to withstand extreme weather and earthquakes resulting from the Great Glen geological fault. It also contributed significantly to driving economic growth in the area, making travel between Inverness and the far north significantly easier.
“We have such a strong heritage of bridge building in Scotland and the Kessock Bridge is an important part of that distinguished tradition.”
The listing follows a public consultation run by HES earlier this year when members of the public were invited to express their views on recognising the bridge with listed status.
Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “I am delighted that the Kessock Bridge has been recognised for its historically unique importance as a listed structure. The cable-stayed bridge which has been carrying thousands of vehicles every day over the Beauly Firth for nearly 40 years, is a vital connection to and from the far north and has been central in supporting economic growth in the region.
“Its iconic design, length and position overlooking the Highland capital has rightly earned its new status and I look forward to its continued success as a key piece of Scotland’s transport infrastructure.
