A lifetime of Islands: Island 472 - Rossie Island or Inchbraoch, Montrose, Angus

Sunday 22 September 2019

Island 472 - Rossie Island or Inchbraoch, Montrose, Angus

Rossie Island or Inchbraoch (also formerly called Inchbrayock), which lies on the south east side of Montrose Basin and to the south of the town of Montrose, is no longer a true island. By 1862 the island was linked to the mainland by Inch Bridge to the south and by a suspension bridge to the north. The River South Esk continued to flow out to the sea via two channels - a larger one to the north of the island and a narrower one to the south of the island. Between 1973 and 1975 the south channel was filled in, so that it could be used for industries supporting the oil industry. Land was also reclaimed on the eastern side of the island for industrial use.

In 1879 the North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway Company constructed two viaducts to carry their railway across Rossie Island. Both viaducts were designed by Sir Thomas Bouch, who also designed the first Tay Bridge. The southern viaduct (known as the Ferryden Viaduct) was built of brick and the northern one (known as the South Esk Viaduct) was built of wrought iron lattice girders. However after the collapse of the Tay Bridge on 28th December 1879, which killed 75 people, concerns were raised about the safety of the South Esk Viaduct and tests were carried out on it during 1880. These concluded that, although the plans showed a straight bridge, it actually had a distinct curve and several of the piers were not perpendicular. It therefore had to be dismantled and rebuilt to a design by W.R. Galbraith. The railway line eventually opened to traffic in 1881.

The A92 road runs from north to south across the western side of Rossie Island. There are several streets of houses on the western side of the island while the eastern and southern side is mainly industrial. Rossie Island is also home to Montrose Sailing Club and a large graveyard. A footpath runs around the western side of the island.