The Highland Council had determined that the existing footbridge, having fallen into a state of disrepair, had reached the end of its useful life and was in need of replacement. The bridge was a key conduit within the village’s core path network.
Compass Building secured this project following successful completion of a competitive tendering process.
The works entailed the careful demolition of the existing dilapidated structure ahead of remedial works being undertaken to the existing bridge abutments.
The new bridge structure (which was designed by Messrs WA Fairhurst) was constructed from steel universal beams, spanning between the refurbished abutments, fixed to which was an oak timber deck and handrail.
At the official reopening ceremony, Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “I am delighted to see the new Uig Footbridge open after £40,000 of funding from the Community Regeneration Fund was approved by the Committee in November 2024. The previous bridge had reached the end of its life, and I was happy to engage with the local community about how the Council could replace it, which we have done. These projects are key to not only improving vital infrastructure for local people but also supporting regeneration and empowering community resilience.”
Project Manager for Compass, Mr Douglas Boyle, noted his delight at being involved in what was a challenging but very rewarding project. In order to minimise disruption to the community Douglas had promoted off-site fabrication for the bridge deck sections. This had necessitated a detailed survey of the existing structure to ensure that the same layout and constraints could be recreated in the Inverness workshop. This approach largely mitigated the risks of working at height and paid dividends when the efficient on-site installation was timeously completed.
