Atholl Estates, on behalf of the Duke of Atholl, is delighted to announce
that the Atholl Highlanders will be playing a key role in the 200th jubilee celebrations on the Telford Bridge in Dunkeld on Saturday 28 March. The
Atholl Highlanders, Europe's only remaining private army and the Atholl
Highlanders Pipe Band, will march across the bridge at 3pm to mark the
anniversary of the completion of the bridge. Their involvement in the
celebrations is in honour of the 4th Duke of Atholl whose financial
assistance, back in 1808, made the construction of this impressive bridge
possible, opening the region to trade and greatly improving the lives of Dunkeld
residents.
At the beginning of the 19th century Dunkeld was an important
part of the Atholl Estates as the duke had one of his residences there and owned
much property in the area. With two treacherous ferries in operation, the lack
of a bridge over such a large river as the Tay (whose volume is greater than
Thames & Severn Rivers) hindered communications and development. It was
therefore decided to employ the eminent engineer Thomas Telford to design a
bridge, financed by the Duke and government, which was begun in 1805. By 1808,
when it was first used, costs had risen to over £34,000 with the 4th Duke bearing all the increase and the government contributing their original
£7000. In 1809, declared complete by Telford, it was 685 feet long with 5 water
and 2 land arches. Although Telford could have envisaged nothing more than a
horse and cart crossing the bridge, it can carry two 40 ton
lorries.
The fascinating history of the bridge has also inspired a new play. "The Bridge", by local award winning
playwright Bob Davidson, will be performed at the Birnam Institute on 27 &
28 March as part of the jubilee celebrations.
The Atholl Highlanders enjoy the extraordinary distinction of being the
only private army in Europe. The current regiment dates from 1839 when Lord
Glenlyon took a bodyguard of men to the medieval tournament at Eglington in
Ayrshire. Five years later, he arranged for the Atholl Highlanders to mount
guard when Queen Victoria stayed at Blair Castle. For this service they were
granted her colours and so the right to bear arms. The regiment now parades at
the castle each year in the presence of its colonel, the 11th Duke.
There is a permanent display inside the castle which traces the regiment's
history from 1778 to the present day.
Following the bridge
anniversary celebrations, the next opportunity to see the Atholl Highlanders
will be at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl on the weekend of the 23 & 24 May. The
Atholl Highlanders Parade will take place on the castle forecourt on Saturday 23
May (2.30pm - 3.30pm). The Atholl Gathering and Highland Games commence at 11am
on Sunday 24 May.