Bridge of Oich

The Bridge of Oich is a taper principle suspension bridge, designed by James Dredge, across the River Oich near Aberchalder in Highland, Scotland. The bridge opened in 1854 and was used to take the main road traffic over the river until 1932.
The bridge was designed by James Dredge, an engineer from England. Dredge used his patented 'taper principle' design for the bridge. The bridge uses a double cantilever system where two opposing cantilevers are supported by suspension chains giving it the appearance of a classic suspension bridge. The span of the bridge is 155 feet 6 inches and the two main chains are 17 feet apart. Each of the main chains is made from a series of wrought-iron eye-rods varying in length from 6 feet to 7 feet 6 inches and with a nominal diameter of 7⁄8 inch . The main chains hang over 18 feet high granite towers and one end of each chain is anchored to the bridge at mid-span and the other ends are anchored below ground inland of the bridge. The chains consist of twelve parallel rods at the tower and progressively reduce in width by one link at each joint towards each end of the chains as they get further from the towers. The decking is of timber, supported on trussed wrought-iron transoms.

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