There are still those in the world that refuse to believe that a bridge crosses the Atlantic. You can tell them till you are blue in the face but they still will not believe you. "Where is the evidence?" they spout rudely. "If I cannot see it, I will not believe it," they proclaim with all the assurance of an atheist about to be shot at dawn and receive one almighty shock. "No bridge crosses the Atlantic ocean, none whatsoever!" But they are wrong. So wrong as one was built over the Atlantic in the year 1792 by John Stephenson or by Robert Mylne, depending on whom you wish to believe. It appears to have been designed by the great Thomas Telford and locals say that their man Stevenson (or Stephenson depending on who you talk to) did the work, and his name is recorded by 'The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) as the man, yet others credit Mylne. I suspect however it was local men paid a pittance who actually did the hard graft. They did the job well as with a little bit of modern strengthening the bridge is still used today, and forty ton lorries can cross it safely. Though quite why anyone would take a forty ton lorry to the Isle beats me! Some folks do have strange tastes mind.
The bridge crosses the Atlantic taking the traveler from the Scottish mainland, in the rain, to Seil Island, where it rains harder, and for longer. This is not a populous part of the world but makes for excellent, but damp, holiday excursions. The purple of the Fairy Foxglove guides the tourist, and how we love them, to the hills and sights of the island. Make sure you investigate Tigh an Truish Inn - the House of the Trousers!
There are other bridges over the Atlantic but this is the most important one.
Secret Scotland
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3 comments:
How are your clansmen reacting to you divulging so many of their secrets?
I do see it laddie, but I just canna believe it even with the seein'! And it's no atheist what be writin' this comment, neither! (I have a feeling this phony speech is more Irish than Scots so I will stop with it now.)
Did you know -- and I tell you true -- that there is a place on earth where the Pacific Ocean lies to the East of the Atlantic? Can you say where?
I had a holiday at Balvicar (the second city because the capital is Easdale!) on Seil Island when a lad. A friend of mine's family had a cottage there. I've therefore known about the bridge over the Atlantic for over forty years. Thanks for the reminder.
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