Exactly 50 years ago, on August 18 1966, the Tay Road Bridge was officially opened.
Unlike today, when such an event would be recorded from every angle by eyewitnesses, video equipment was primitive and rare.
Nevertheless, some forward-thinking individuals took the effort to record the event using the technology of the time — ensuring we can all look back on a famous day that would forever change daily life in Dundee and north Fife.
Before the bridge
First up, a reminder of how things used to be. To avoid the long drive to Perth, the quickest way to get to Fife was on a “Fifie” ferry:
Time for change
Inevitably, the days of sea-sickness, tartan blankets and men playing accordions on the crossing couldn’t last forever.
Eventually, it was agreed to build a new road crossing — but that meant massive amounts of earth movement and losing Dundee’s famous Royal Arch (an issue that still splits opinion to this day):
The hard work begins
The actual construction took three years to complete. This video gives a wonderful idea of the sights and sounds experienced by the crews who worked to hard to bring the dream to reality:
There’s no sound on this one, but it does offer brilliant clear pictures of the work in progress:
The dream comes true
“The dream of a hundred years has come true!” — August 18 1966 arrives and Pathé News covers the story in its own inimitable style:
