Stirling Old Bridge

We are in the midst of one of the worst storms in living memory with hurricane-force winds hitting Scotland.

Schools have been shut all day and many shops closed at lunchtime.

A wind turbine in Ayrshsire went up in flames half an hour ago as gusts of over 160mph battered parts of Scotland.

Police are urging everyone to stay at home. I had to go out though I wasn't out for long.

The Met Office have issued a red alert, the highest warning, and already there are reports of power cuts so I had better get this blip up before the electricity gets cut off.

Have attempted to capture the drama of the storm but so far have not succeeded.


Meanwhile here is a blip pic of the Old Stirling Bridge with the Forth River in full flood. Someone has stolen the life buoy though its unlikely to be needed in this weather.

This bridge was built around 1500 and was the lowest bridging point over the River Forth for almost four centuries. Duties were levied on goods entering the Burgh and customs men sat in a covered booth in a recess in the middle of the bridge.
In 1571 a gallows was erected on the bridge to hang Archbishop Hamilton.
In 1745, the Southernmost arch was blown up by general Blackney to prevent the Highlanders from crossing.
Before this Bridge was built there were earlier structures, including the wooden bridge where Sir William Wallace defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

?Stirling New Bridge, was designed by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the author of "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped" and opened in 1833.

PS. You can just figure out the Wallace Monument to the right of the bridge.