A walker crosses the Water of Nevis wire bridge. Photo: Ted and Jen ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
A conservation charity is warning walkers a popular bridge in the Highlands has been closed after it became unsafe.
The wire bridge at Steall, in Glen Nevis, has been barred to walkers after one of its cables snapped on Wednesday. The precarious crossing, consisting of three steel cables over the Water of Nevis, links land owned by the John Muir Trust with that under the care of Rio Tinto Alcan.
The trust’s Nevis ranger has closed off both sides of the bridge and put up warning signs.
Andrew Campbell, head of land management for the John Muir Trust said: “The wire bridge is a Glen Nevis landmark and many walkers enjoy crossing it.
“It receives a regular maintenance survey every two years and is kept in good repair, but it appears it may have been overloaded, causing the cable to snap.
“We have closed off the bridge until further notice, and will be discussing the way forward with Rio Tinto Alcan and others in the Nevis Partnership and wider community.”
The bridge lies on the route to An Steall waterfall and the munros of An Gearanach and An Garbhanach.
The bridge was at the centre of a bizarre incident in March when thieves stole a 50kg gas-powered generator from the nearby Steall Bothy, leading to speculation that the gang that stole the £1,000 machine may have used the wire bridge to help get the unique generator back to their vehicle in Glen Nevis.
- Heather Morning, mountain safety adviser with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, pointed out the bridge closure was putting walkers at risk.
She said: “This essential passage needs to be reinstated very quickly or river crossing incidents will become an issue, especially in high water conditions.
“Groups have been crossing up stream towards the waterfall at a number of places. Some parties were even seen descending the true left bank of the gorge towards the upper Glen Nevis car park.
“This is a potentially serious, exposed and slippery area and is not recommended.”
She said: “There were 24 Dutch students on the bridge when the eye splice at the Steall end on one of the foot wires broke. Three were taken to Belford [Hospital, Fort William], one with a broken shoulder.
“This essential passage needs to be reinstated very quickly or river crossing incidents will become an issue, especially in high water conditions.
“Groups have been crossing up stream towards the waterfall at a number of places. Some parties were even seen descending the true left bank of the gorge towards the upper Glen Nevis car park.
“This is a potentially serious, exposed and slippery area and is not recommended.”
Slyspeed
28 May 2010Perhaps the Scottish Government might be persuaded to find a few quid to replace it. When the Forth Road Bridge cables started to snap, they came up with the cash for a new one of those, so it's the same principle!
E Christison
29 May 2010“We have closed off the bridge until further notice, and will be discussing the way forward with Rio Tinto Alcan and others in the Nevis Partnership and wider community.”
I'd have thought a replacement of the snapped cable was quite sufficient. I'd be appalled if they put a proper bridge there.
Alan Kimber
29 May 2010What is wrong with a proper (better) bridge. By the way a few thoughtfully placed safeguard railings on the gorge path might also reduce the fatalities which take place on this iconic and extremely popular path!
Jon
30 May 2010Alan, how does anyone manage to fall off the gorge path? Why don't we put railings all along the edge of the Ben Nevis summit plateau, to stop people falling down the north west face and Five Finger Gully? And a hand rail along the Aonach Eagach? I for one don't want wild places sanitised. Bad things happen, and we can't prevent that by putting bridges and guard rails in a few iconic places.
Richard Wood
30 May 2010How about a cable car system to aid groups of climbers to access the Ring Of Steall and a nice cafe at the lovely waterfall!
edweirdo
30 May 2010What about a funicular up the Ben to match the highly successful gorms one to aid the thousands of punters.....
Some loose rock on Clach Glas could do with being bolted together too-looks like lightning damage so maybe install a conductor along entire Cuillin ridge! Could tie in with the clandestine radio relay that is installed on Bla Bheinn south top...
Jon
30 May 2010Oops, I did of course mean the north east face!
Alan Kimber
30 May 2010'Horses for courses' folks. You have all succumbed to the usual responses about ruining wild places and come up with the normal railings along Aonach Eagach and Cuillin Ridge.
The truth is that Steall Gorge is a place visited by tens of thousands of visitors to Fort William, many of whom are not hill walkers and only interested in a short walk to a very busy and popular low-level mountain location. In my opinion they deserve some protection and re-instatement of the railings which were actually in place some years back.
Fixing the bridge is also very important for those of you who wish to visit the wilder Mamores and stay dry and alive!
Jhimmy
30 May 2010Ha ha ha, isn't it funny that man has walked for hundreds, if not thousands, of years up Glen Nevis without roads and bridges and it's only now that the numpties (yes I'll call them that) cannot get further then a few hundred years from their cars without the aid of artificial technology.
John T
30 May 2010Well said Alan. Perhaps macho types who sound off about such things have yet to experience the full impact of mountain accidents.
Jon
31 May 2010John T - it's news to me that I am macho. I just prefer Scotland without rails and waymarks etc. I'm well aware that there are risks in the hills, and have witnessed accidents, had near misses myself, and have friends who have been quite badly injured. It remains the case that driving to and from the start of my walk or climb is usually the riskiest part of the day.
Alan - the reason people make exaggeratedly silly suggestions is to highlight the turning of the Highlands into a park. Thousands of visitors to Fort William visit the summit of Ben Nevis - do they "deserve some protection"? The hills are an escape from the cities for many of us. If I want railings, I can go to my local park and find plenty. If we are to have railings along the path through Glen Nevis, should we also make the path surface smooth so that people don't trip over a boulder?
edweirdo
01 June 2010I remember some years ago coming back along the gorge path after a good day out on the Mamores and met a group of BLIND people being led on the walk and they managed it without any fences!
Charles Britten
01 June 2010"The bridge lies on the route to An Steall waterfall and the munros of An Gearanach and An Garbhanach."
Incorrect. Only An Gearanach is a Munro. An Garbhanachis a 'top'.
The other Munro in that vicinity is Stob Coire a' Chairn.
Richard Wood
08 June 2010Im a bit suspicious of mountain guides wanting to ease access to the mountains maybe they have vested interests. There are plenty of other rivers and burns that are difficult to cross and have no bridges. I suppose the closeness and ease of access of this particular site means it is well used by guides taking clients into the hills.
Anyway I'm sure King Alex will grant a road through this area soon, giving his love for the environment shown so far in respect of the Beauly Denny line , the Trump golf couse and probably the Ben Lui Goldmine.
Ian
17 July 2010i want to cross the wee wire bridge on the 26th of july. is it open? anyone know?
Stan
28 September 2019Seem to remember that back in the late 70s early 80s the Steall bridge was just 2 wires......