Bridges offer much by way of their existence. They are poems (makings) in their own right. They afford us a clear passage and a fresh perspective. As such, crossing them can be an exhilarating experience. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the bridge (or lack of) reminds us of our own. Our bodies are full of bridges.
The Erskine Bridge presents a wonderful vantage point from which to take in Glasgow and its surrounds. Running from Old Kilpatrick on the north side of the river to Erskine and Bishopton on the south the cable-stayed Erskine Bridge is a peak in its own right. Despite its popularity as a suicide platform there's a lot of life up here in this elemental freshness. Whether its the various shoals of birds up above or the sheer scope of the panorama you can't deny the rejuvenating properties of a little bridge meditation. It really is a wonderful place.
Beneath are a few pictures of the bridge and its surrounds, and a short video I took one cold November afternoon. The wonderful picture above with the Kilpatrick braes in the background was taken by Douglas MacGregor.
Just like the Renfrew Ferry and the Clyde Tunnel walkway further east the Erskine Bridge is an essential artery in the navigation of the city from north to south. The bridge was designed by William Brown and opened on 2 July 1971 by HRH Princess Anne. It has a 524 m main span and two 68 m approach spans and is 38 m high and 1310m (4300 ft) long. The bridge is also the last point at which you can cross the Clyde estuary by road. This view looks east across the Erskine Bridge Hotel (just right of centre) towards the city.
There's a real feeling of the tide here with the estuary sweeping round westwards to Dumbarton and the Atlantic.
From the Erskine Jetty which used to serve the Erskine Ferry up until the bridge was built.
The old Erskine Ferry which plied this route before the bridge was born.
Beneath are a few pictures of the bridge and its surrounds, and a short video I took one cold November afternoon. The wonderful picture above with the Kilpatrick braes in the background was taken by Douglas MacGregor.
Just like the Renfrew Ferry and the Clyde Tunnel walkway further east the Erskine Bridge is an essential artery in the navigation of the city from north to south. The bridge was designed by William Brown and opened on 2 July 1971 by HRH Princess Anne. It has a 524 m main span and two 68 m approach spans and is 38 m high and 1310m (4300 ft) long. The bridge is also the last point at which you can cross the Clyde estuary by road. This view looks east across the Erskine Bridge Hotel (just right of centre) towards the city.
There's a real feeling of the tide here with the estuary sweeping round westwards to Dumbarton and the Atlantic.
From the Erskine Jetty which used to serve the Erskine Ferry up until the bridge was built.
The old Erskine Ferry which plied this route before the bridge was born.
A short video taken from the apex of the Erskine Bridge one cold November afternoon.
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