^OZ A Survey and Report of the Coajh 



bridge over the river Tay, at Dunkeld, in Perthflitre ; an- 

 other over the river Spev, at Fochabers, in Bamflshire; a 

 third over the river Beauley, in Invernefs-diire ; and a fourth 

 over the river Canon, near Dingwall, in Ruls-ftiire. Thefe 

 rivers are large, and at prefcnt are all crofled by means of 

 ferry-boats. 



At Dunkeld the river Tay is deep and broad, and there 

 is reafon to expeft the foundations will be expenfive, the bed 

 of the river at and for a great diHance above and below the 

 town being tompofcd of alluvial earth and gravel. The beft 

 fituation for a bridge is a little below ihe lower feriy ; at this 

 place there is a (Iraight reach of the river, and in winter the 

 ice is broken by paffing over a foi-d nearly oppofitc the mooih 

 of the river Bran. This fituation will alfo conneft with the 

 improved lines of road which are propofed to be made on 

 each fide of the river. It is probable that a flat rubble (lone 

 will be 20t near the flate quarries, which are within a ihort 

 diftance^of the place. Freeftone of a durable quality is to be 

 had near Dundee: it may be brought t)y water carriage to 

 Perth, and from thence by land to Dunkeld. 



Under all thefe circumftances the expenfe would be confi- 

 derable ; and, talcing into account the uncertainty of the 

 foundations, the amount cannot be flated at lefs than 

 15,000!. 



The two ferries which are now at Dunkeld belong to his 

 grace the duke of Athol ; he has authorized me to rtate, that 

 if government will defray one-half the expenfe of a bridge, 

 he^vill advance the other half; that be will give up his in- 

 tereft in the ferries, if in lieu thereof a reafonahle toll be put 

 upon the bridee, in order to liquidate the capital advanced 

 by the duke : ^after this has been acrompliflied, with a fmall 

 furplus to anfwcr the repairs, the bridge ever after to remain 

 free of toll. 



This Teems a very reafonable and juft mode of defraying 

 the expenfe: the fafety and accommodation would be fo 

 great, that no perfon travelling that road could objeA to pay- 

 in*' the fame toll for a fafe and convenient laridge whic h at 

 prefent is paid for a dangerous and inconvenient ferry-boat, 

 efpecially when t.iere will be a certain profpeft of having a 

 bridge free of toll in a few years. 



This bridge is of the firll importance to the Central High- 

 lands ; it would accommodate a great diftrict of that country, 

 and at the fame time facilitate the communication with the 

 North Highlands. 



The river Spey is alfo rapid and deep, being the drain of 



a great extant of mountainous country, where there is much 



$ rain. 



