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PICTURES: Vital repairs carried out on bridge over now ‘legendary’ Postman’s Path

Repair work on the Postman's Path, a legendary scenic path from Urgha to Reinigeadail on Harris.
Repair work on the Postman's Path, a legendary scenic path from Urgha to Reinigeadail on Harris.

Vital repair works on a now ‘legendary’ scenic path through Harris – known as the Postman’s Path – has been undertaken.

North Harris Trust hopes to ensure the route is accessible to visitors seeking to walk the famed route.

The path carries with it great history as it acted as a lifeline to the community in Rhenigidale, which was the last settlement in Britain to be connected by road in 1990.

Prior to the connection, local postman Kenny Mackay used to trek the steep and winding path to Urgha and back three times a week with mail for residents.

A replacement bridge has been constructed at Gearraidh Lotaigear between Urgha and Reinigeadail after heavy flow from the burn it crosses caused damage to some of the stonework.

Reinforced masonry work has been carried out with the new structure consisting of a timber structure which will allow walkers and cyclists the luxury of crossing the burn below.

The bridge is situated approximately half-a-mile from the nearest road with workers having to carry in all materials prior to beginning construction.

The total cost of the project has weighed in at £1,800 to North Harris Trust and is designed to future proof the crossing for the next 20 years.

Gordon Cumming, manager of North Harris Trust, said: “The stonework looks like it has been there for over 100 years.

“No doubt the wooden structure on top of it has been replaced several times but the problem was that some of the heavy flow spates had washed out some of the stonework structure underneath.

“Because of that, the timber, although not rotten, had to be removed to do the stonework repairs and then put a new bridge back on top.”

He added: “We have been monitoring it for a while.

“It was quite difficult because it’s about half a mile from the road. Angus Williams of Williams Stone Craft undertook the stone. That was difficult because he was working in the river with big stones so he had the biggest challenge really.

“For us, we had to man-handle all the timber out there so it was all carried by hand.

“It was actually a lovely day nailing it all together so we had a pleasant job pulling the bridge together.

“The important thing is the path is gaining quite legendary status amongst the mountain biking fraternity and it’s a case of we really wanted to get the path back in use as quick as possible and ready for the coming season, and to ensure everyone is safe.”