Fort Augustus Swing Bridge is one of the few structures of its kind in the Highlands. Designed to move to let boats travelling on the Caledonian Canal through, this moveable bridge is a crucial link for residents, businesses, and visitors alike as it carries thousands of vehicles along the busy A82 each week.

BEAR Scotland, working closely with Scottish Canals, has now completed a series of essential upgrades to keep this unusual and important crossing working reliably for years to come and reduce the risk of unplanned closures.

Swing bridges such as this one are an iconic feature across the North West of Scotland, playing a critical role in keeping road users and canal traffic moving safely. BEAR Scotland is responsible for maintaining several swing bridges in the region, including Banavie near Fort William and Laggan, both of which were designed by the pioneering Thomas Telford and share the distinctive engineering feat of balancing the needs of both road and waterway users.

The improvements included the replacement of the side gate at the south west corner of the bridge, removing the footway gate at the north west corner, and repositioning the main barrier to enable the footpath to be closed during bridge swings. Adjustments were also made to the south east towpath to reduce disruption to access whilst the bridge is open to canal traffic. Careful planning allowed these works to take place with minimal disruption, ensuring the bridge remained operational throughout.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Unit Representative, said: “We’re proud to have worked closely with Scottish Canals to deliver these improvements at Fort Augustus Swing Bridge. These upgrades not only enhance the resilience of the structure but also help safeguard a vital connection for the local community and the many visitors to this part of the Highlands.”

“We would like to thank road users and canal users for their patience while this important work was carried out.”