The images below illustrate some of Thomas Telford's projects in Scotland.
The 9th August 2007 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford, one of Britain's most celebrated engineers; builder of roads, bridges and canals throughout almost every corner of Scotland, England and Wales, his built legacy is still very much apparent. 2007 is also Scotland's Year of Highland Culture, a year-long event to which RCAHMS is contributing.
Inspired by the concurrent celebrations, the strong links between Telford and the Highlands, and also the collection material that RCAHMS holds (most notably the 1838 Atlas to the life of Thomas Telford, Engineer, as well as extensive and ongoing survey work), the Telford in the Highlands Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Highland 2007, is engaging young people in four areas of the Scottish Highlands in exploring and celebrating their local built heritage, and in sharing their knowledge with each other and their local communities.
Engraved portrait of Thomas Telford, taken from the Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford, Engineer. Born in 1757 near the village of Langholm in Dumfriesshire, he died in 1834. DP 014934.
View of Dunkeld Bridge, completed in 1809. The seven-arched bridge is 209 metres long, and was a key link in the Great North Road (A9) until by-passed in the 1970s. SC 1035763.
Oblique aerial view of the Caledonian Canal locks at Fort Augustus. This set of five locks raises the canal by 12 metres on the ascent from Loch Ness to Loch Oich. DP 025514.
Oblique aerial view of Fortrose Harbour, completed in 1817. Telford built harbours all around the coast of Scotland for both the British Fisheries Society (for the fishing fleet), and for the Commissioners of Highland Roads and Bridges (for ferry links). DP 024693.
View of Trumisgarry Church and Manse on North Uist. 32 churches and 41 manses were built to such standardised designs in the 1820s. SC 972651.
Oblique aerial view of Pulteneytown, Wick. Telford was responsible for the layout of this new town, and also provided suggested plans for individual houses. SC 1066995.
View of lower lock at Corpach on the Caledonian Canal. British Waterways have recently completed a major refurbishment of the Canal. DP 025786.
Extract from the Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford, Engineer showing Telford's Bonar Bridge. Completed in 1812, it was damaged by flood waters in 1892 and replaced the following year. This second bridge was in turn replaced in 1973 by the current bridge. DP 018082.
