Bridges Connecting Maryburgh And Conon ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

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Bridges Connecting Maryburgh And Conon

Attribution: S. Fraser (Maryburgh Primary School March 2015)

A River with many bridges

Over the years there have been several bridges crossing between Maryburgh and Conon Bridge. These have ranged from a bridge by Thomas Telford to a metal bridge containing utility pipes.

Remnants of old with new in the background.

Attribution: unknown

History of the Railway Bridge

RCHS is grateful to the Editor of the Ross-shire Journal for permission to reproduce the article which appeared in the edition of 8 June 2012 to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of that section of the Highland Railway.

In January 1859 Alexander Matheson convened a meeting of interested parties to discuss the building of a railway from Inverness to Dingwall. Matheson was a director of Jardine Matheson which traded between India and China.

He and his uncle James, one of the founders, both made fortunes and were able to purchase Highland estates. Alexander owned Ardross, near Alness.

After Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral, the Scottish Highlands became a popular tourist destination. The landed gentry liked to travel each summer for their Scottish estates along with their retinue, so good communications were essential for them as well as for the local population who were able to benefit from the employment provided.

The indigenous landowners were also keen on the railway as they realised this was an opportunity for them to develop the resources of their estates for export such as wood, fish, grain and whisky.

The Dingwall Town Council was very enthusiastic about a railway. Its citizens had either to walk or ride on horseback to Inverness or rely on the stagecoach. From there, they were able to get a train to Aberdeen and travel further south if they wished.

The directors asked Joseph Mitchell, the engineer for the railway eastwards along the coast to Keith, to carry out a survey. He and his assistants, William and Murdoch Paterson

The plaque on the Maryburgh side of the rail bridge commemorates the opening of the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway on 11 June 1862

The plaque on the Maryburgh side of the rail bridge commemorates the opening of the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway on 11 June 1862. It lists the directors of the company, the civil engineer and the contractor.

Attribution: [Photo courtesy of Douglas Chisholm.]

View more photographs of the Bridges over the River conon

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Maryburgh » Maryburgh History » Maryburgh Primary School

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 1

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 2

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 2

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 3

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 4

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 4

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 5

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 6

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 6

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 7

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 7

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Another Dux Medal is that presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917. [Photo courtesy of Mrs Mackenzie, Drumnadrochit, Sarah's daughter.]

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Another Dux Medal is that presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917. [Photo courtesy of Mrs Mackenzie, Drumnadrochit, Sarah's daughter.]

Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School medal

Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School medal

This rather ornate medal was the annual award to the Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School by Lord Seaforth and was photographed for the Millennium Exhibition when it was on show as the medal won by James Macrae in 1903. The first Dux prize was awarded in 1872 to Andrew Gillanders but it was only in 1900 that "Seaforth's medal" was mentioned in the school logbook. The last mention of the medal is in 1926, although "Dux" is mentioned in subsequent prizegivings. The medal shown was provided by John R Frew, Jeweller, 61 High Street, Dingwall.

Frank Menzies with parents and sisters

Frank Menzies with parents and sisters

Sarah Menzies (who received the Dux Medal) would have been one of the three daughters in this photograph of the Menzies family.

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila, features in the 1936 photograph of Maryburgh pupils, which also includes daughter Sheila. From the February 1932 entry in the log book we learn of his appointment to Maryburgh School, but the newspaper article gives a better insight into his background. He was born in Lewiston (Loch Ness-side) on 20 March 1888 and served in both world wars; taught in Dingwall Academy prior to becoming Headmaster at Maryburgh; retired in 1953 at age 65 only to embark on work as a labourer at hydro-electric schemes; and rejoiced in a successful cataract operation prior to the milestone birthday.

Maryburgh Primary School

Maryburgh Primary School

Front row, l-r: Danny Ferguson, Kennor Mackenzie, Colin Mackenzie 2nd row, l-r: Dorothy Maclennan, Rita Taylor, Argo Sutherland, Moira Duff, Amelia ("Maimie") Macrae, Alice Mackenzie, Olive Sutherland, Marie Macbeath, Rhoda Macintosh, Isabella ("Babe") Macrae 3rd row, l-r: Miss J Riach (teacher), Alix Macintosh, Peggy ? Macdonald, Bunty Ingram, Joan Williams, Flo Macrae, Ina Ferguson, Nellie Ross, Margaret Chisholm, Cathy Macintosh 4th row, l-r: James Maclennan, John Macbeath, ?, Angus Mackay, ?, James Mackenzie, Sidney Franklin, Alick John Maclennan, Ronnie Chisholm, Gordon Macpherson, Murdo Campbell [Information supplied by Peggy Bentley and Joan Cunningham]

Maryburgh Primary School

Maryburgh Primary School

Front row, l-r: Daisy Stewart, ?, ?, ?, Mairie Munro, Nancy Stewart, ?, ? 2nd row, l-r: ?, Mary Macdonald, remainder unknown 3rd row, l-r: Miss J A Campbell (teacher), ?, ?, ?, ?, Andrew Duff, Sandy Maclennan, ?, ?, Hugh Chisholm, Harry Franklin [Information supplied by Joan Cunningham]

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Photograph c. 1912, courtesy of Mr Alistair Urquhart, who identified family member John Stewart, 4th from left in row 4. Headmaster is Donald Mackay.

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Photograph c.1912, courtesy of Mr Alistair Urquhart who identified family members: Mary Stewart, 3rd row, 6th from left; Duncan Stewart, 5th row, extreme left; and William Stewart, 5th row, 5th from left. Teachers have been identified as Donald Mackay, headmaster, and (possibly) Miss J C Riach, teacher.

Maryburgh Primary School 1930

Maryburgh Primary School 1930

1930. Teachers are Miss Watt (left) and Miss Campbell (right). Only pupil identified is possibly Catherine Maclennan (6th from left in third row)

Maryburgh Primary School, immediately post-World War 2

Maryburgh Primary School, immediately post-World War 2

There must be many photographs such as this, lying in cupboards and drawers, possibly with names fading or unknown. This photograph of pupils of Maryburgh Primary School dates immediately post-World War 2 and is courtesy of Mavor Wilson whose husband is on the extreme right in the back row. Back row, l-r: Margaret Jack, George Campbell, Frances Barclay, Roderick ?, Margaret Oag, James Wilson. Front row, l-r: ?, James Macrae, John Maclennan, Patricia Sutherland, Nan Maclean, David Sutherland, William Macdonald, Hamish Mackenzie.

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936 Back row, l to r: George Mackenzie; ? Moir; James Stuart; Forbes Beaton; Hector Mackenzie; Dick McIntosh; Alfred Tough; Robert Ingram 3rd row, l to r: John MacDonald (Headmaster); Barbara MacRae; Stewart Coghill; Georgie McIntosh; Blanche Sutherland; Eva McIntosh; Sheila MacDonald; Donella Maclennan 2nd row, l to r: Margaret McLennan; Tilda MacDonald; Marjory Menzies; Peggy MacLean; Chrissie MacLean Front row, l to r: Campbell Cunningham; Arthur Henry; Jockie MacLean; Willie Stuart [Information supplied by a number of sources but includes Peggy Bentley (nee Maclean) and Joan Cunningham (nee Williams)]

Maryburgh School, Hood Street

Maryburgh School, Hood Street

Merit Certificate

Merit Certificate

Merit Certificate Cover

Merit Certificate Cover

Nessie Cartoon in paper for the 102nd birthday of John Macdonald in March 1988

Nessie Cartoon in paper for the 102nd birthday of John Macdonald in March 1988

Primary School Photo - date unknown

Primary School Photo - date unknown

Date unknown Front row, l-r: ?, ?, ?, Chrissie Mackenzie, ?, Emmie Gammie, ?, ?, 2nd row, l-r: all unknown except teacher Miss Campbell 3rd row, l-r: Miss Watt (teacher), ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Edmund Macgregor, ? [Information supplied by Joan Williams]