The bridge over Britain's shortest canal

This morning I headed to Peterhead harbour, always a source of something interesting. It was as cold as Hell is rumoured to be hot and so I didn't stay long.

Originally, there were two harbours, north and south, which operated separately until 1826, when Robert Stevenson suggested connecting the two. His son David drew up the plans for what was to become the shortest canal in the UK!

This is the view across the canal with the south harbour in the background. Access for traffic across the canal is now provided for by a rolling lift bridge built in 1953 by Sir William Arrol & Co., replacing the original swing bridge of 1850. Known locally as the Queenie Bridge it was being lowered just as I arrived this morning.

PS The canal is only 15 metres in length so don't be planning a canal holiday!

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