Ness Islands, Inverness

The Ness Islands are located in the middle of the River Ness just south of Inverness City Centre.  They don't count for my collection, as they are too far upstream to be tidal and don't have names. However they are most definitely islands and are well used by local people walking their dogs and their children.  There is a footbridge, known as General Well's Bridge from Bught Road on to the southern island, a smaller bridge links the two islands together and there is another bridge, known as Island Bank Road Bridge linking the northern island to Island Bank Road.

The islands were bought by the local council in the 19th century for use as a public park.  The first footbridges to the islands were chain suspension bridges, which were built in 1829.  However they were not well maintained and were washed away during a flood in 1849.  They were replaced c1853 by suspension bridges designed by the engineer James Dredge.  These survived until 1987 when they were replaced by the current Victorian style bridges.  The bridges can be closed off when the river is in flood.

General's Well can be seen on the west bank of the River Ness just to the south of the General's Well Bridge.  It is named after General Macintyre, who lived at Bught House and drank the water from the well every day and believed it had health giving properties.  The well is thought to have early Christian significance. 

General's Well Bridge

General's Well Bridge from the west bank of the River Ness

 

General's Well on the west bank of the River Ness

 

Laburnum tree in flower on the southern island

 

Bridge linking the two islands

 

Decorative Seat

 

Stone Seating

 

Very tall tree

 

 Another decorative seat

Island Bank Road Bridge

 

Island Bank Road Bridge