How long skye bridge

When they finally got their wish, there was a catch, and a big one — they had to pay through the nose each time they wanted to cross the bridge.

The ferry services ceased, and the shiny new bridge and the Mallaig to Armadale ferry were the only year-round connections to the mainland. It was an emotional time — the end of an era. The tolls were introduced at midnight, sparking outrage. When the first cars arrived at the toll booth, a storm was raging, but the uproar from the community was only beginning to stir.

The drivers refused to pay the extortionate toll, and then, walking through the rain came a pipe band, walking across the bridge, followed by dozens of cars. Driver after driver refused to pay the toll. Those who refused to pay were charged and reported to the procurator fiscal. From driving flocks of sheep across the bridge to paying the toll in pennies, the protesters sought to create drama as well as a disturbance. A protest group, Skye and Kyle Against Tolls Skat was set up while veteran campaigner Robbie the Pict became famous in Scotland as he sought to prove the tolls were imposed unlawfully.

Among the hundreds of non-payment cases, people ended up with criminal convictions and one man — Skat secretary Andy Anderson — served 11 days in prison. Even today, in , campaigners are fighting to repeal those convictions. The numbers have been rising ever since. The Skye Bridge. In olden days before we all used to queue for hours in the summer time waiting for the ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye.

Thank goodness for Donalda's wee newsagents shop which sold juice, sweeties, comics and magazines which kept bored childern quiet and frustrated parents from loosing their minds in the heat. In the winter time it wasnt so bad because the tourists weren't here and so queues were shorter but of course sometimes the weather put the kibosh on a smooth quick passage. Originally the Skye Bridge was a toll bridge and an expensive one at that.

Considering the length of the structure, the cost of crossing was the highest toll per metre in Europe. There has since been no charge for crossing the Skye Bridge in either direction, and the bridge is no less beautiful for being free Another View from the Am Ploc Viewpoint. Crossing the bridge is free.

The Bridge, and Kyle of Lochalsh. Seen from the Top of the Lighthouse. Seen from Below. Island and Bridge. Passing Under the Bridge at Dawn. The Bridge Under Construction. Viewed from Kyle of Lochalsh. And from Kyleakin.