Working on the new Forth Bridge Crossing has brought back fond memories for an Aberdeen businessman, 50 years after he first worked at the iconic site.
As a 16-year-old joiner, Richy Turnbull was learning his trade as an apprentice joiner, working at the Rosyth Dockyard, beneath the Forth Road Bridge, which had recently been opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
At that time, Richy, who later established Aberdeen-based business Greenwell Equipment, would never have imagined that half a century later he would be back, leading a team from his own family-run business working on a second crossing.
Richy, 66, said: “I clearly remember driving over the new Forth Road Bridge, it was a very proud moment for Scotland and a very exciting time for a young man with a passion for construction.
“Working at the naval base, within sight of such a prestigious structure, the biggest in Europe at that time, it was quite something.”
After completing his apprenticeship, Richy worked in construction equipment sales, before coming to Aberdeen in the 1970s.
Today, Richy, who established Greenwell 20 years ago along with his family, is honoured that his business is a key contractor for the multimillion-pound Forth Crossing construction project.
So far, Greenwell has supplied over 200 accommodation units, which include offices, canteens, laboratories, changing facilities, toilets and showers.
The first modular buildings erected were shore based for use as project office accommodation. Later others were built on the barges, which were out in the estuary.
Just recently, modular office units have been lifted 60m to the top of the first tower on the north side of the Forth and are visible from all approaches.
Richy said: “I have been extremely proud to see Greenwell grow from a small family business to an international company involved in multimillion-pound projects.
“I confess it brought a tear to my eye, 50 years after I first worked in Rosyth, as I stood on the shore beside the Greenwell team who were assembling modular accommodation units for the new Forth Bridge construction project.”
The new Forth Crossing, to be named the Queensferry Crossing, is due to open to traffic by the end of 2016.
The impressive new construction is central to a major upgrade to the important cross-Forth transport corridor in the east of Scotland. The 1.7miles (2.7km) structure will be the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world.
Richy said: “I should have retired by now, but I get too much fun seeing my team involved in one of the most impressive building projects Scotland has ever seen.
“I couldn’t possibly retire. Seeing the Greenwell modular buildings being assembled as I watch the Forth Crossing live webcam from my office in Aberdeen, I feel a great sense of pride.”