Bridge to Nowhere
The Bridge to Nowhere - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles - Outer Hebrides. The bridge to nowhere at Garry. The road after the bridge was meant to run from Tolsta - to Ness. The Bridge was so named because today the bridge does actually lead nowhere at all - once over the bridge - there is just a "kind of rough path" which runs a mile or so along the clifftops petering out to the moorland.
Bridge to Nowhere - Isle of Lewis
The bridge to nowhere was so named because today the bridge does actually lead nowhere at all.
Once over the bridge - there is just a "kind of rough path" which runs a mile or so along the cliff tops - and is very scenic - then peters out onto a route that is marked for walkers by way markers.
The route however is over the boggy, peaty moorland tops and is eleven or so miles and is quite a tough walk.
The bridge to nowhere - sometimes called Garry Bridge lies beyond the Tolsta Village - and is on the route of what was to be Lord Leverhulme's new route to Ness. It spans the deep gorge - overlooking the lovely Garry beach - one of the prettiest in the Western Isles. The bridge has a height of 50ft and a width of 100 feet. It is built of re enforced concrete and it has nine arches. Lord Leverhulme owned the Isle of Lewis from 1918 - 1923
Improved Transport Systems
Lord Leverhulme was trying to make better the transport within the Islands - and along the way this would create many jobs for those islanders who were out of work. His plan was that they would help build the much needed roads throughout Lewis and Harris
Relic of Lord Leverhulmes Intended Plans
The unfortunate Lord Leverhulme - I say unfortunate because it seems that many of the plans he intended for both The Isle of Lewis and indeed The Isle of Harris - do seem to have fallen "flat". As did this one. The plan was to develop Lewis and bring prosperity to Lewis - The bridge was just one part of his plans.
A Bridge was Built
The Bridge was built - and there was meant to be a road that would ling Tolsta to Skigersta at Ness. The mixing of many tons of concrete went into making the bridge and this was all done by hand!
140 Men Employed
There were about 140 men employed and pretty high wages were given - up to 10p an hour (generous for those times ) Lord Leverhulme owned Lewis and Harris
Lord Leverhulme owned Lewis and Harris between 1918 and 1923 and he really was a man who saw a great future for Lewis and Harris.
The View from the road near The Bridge to Nowhere
The picture opposite is that of old peat banks, seen near The Bridge to Nowhere.
The tradition of cutting peat, used for fuel is still carried out today by many crofters.
After the War
The men who survived the war came back to Lewis and Harris - however really were not interested in his plans at all. All they wanted was the land that they had been promised before they left to fight the war.
After all they had been promised "A land fit for Heroes".After all they had been promised "A land fit for Heroes".
Lord Leverhulme was an english Industrialist. The men thought that he knew nothing at all about "crofting" which was the "life" they were used to.
Leverhulmes Plans
There is much in the history of Lewis and Harris that is documented about Lord Leverhulmes plans for many aspects of Island life. He had plans for fisheries, a Whaling Station, Town Plans as well as this project "The Bridge to Nowhere". The remains of the Whaling Station can still be seen a little way along the Huisinis Road.
Lovely Western Isles Beaches. The Bridge to Nowhere is at the end od the road - on your journey you will see some stunning beaches, Col, Back, Ghioridail or Tolsta Head Beach, Tolsat or Traigh Mhor Beach and lastly Garry Beach. All these Western Isles Beaches have their own individual character, from the caves and rock stacs at Garry, and the long sily white sandy beach of Tolsta to the more intimate lesser know beach of Tolsta Head - or Ghioridail - where usually you can walk the beach and only meet maybe one or two other people, perhaps this is so because the access to the beach, though short, is quite steep.
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The Iron Age Village was discovered at Bosta - only in 1993 when after severe gales the remains were revealed. A long excavation then followed which revealed the very important archeological finds. A reconstruction of an entire house was then carried out and that iron age house is open for visitors to see today.......  |
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Tolsta beach - The long beach Traigh Mhor is about 2 miles in length - you can walk on the lovely white sands (which are relatively easy to walk on) for the full length of the beach and then return by either walking back along the sands or alternatively walk along the top of the sand dunes. ....... |
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Ghioradail - a lovely beach in The Western Isles. Situated near to Tolsta - Traigh Ghioradail is a secluded beach with an intimate feel to it. The beach is reached by a steep winding path) and enclosed by lovely cliffs which attracts the fulmars who nest in them. A cave and jetty are nearby. ....... |
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Garry beach - near the Bridge to Nowhere - a beautiful Hebrides beach. Great Sea Stacks and Caves, lovely moorand tops full of Western Isles wildflowers and heathers that are just stunning! Garry is actually the starting point for the Heritage Trail - a ten mile coastal walk to Ness. ....... |
