Lovers who have locked engraved padlocks to a historic bridge in Highland Perthshire have been given two weeks to retrieve the tokens of devotion before they are taken away by the council.
Pitlochry’s Port Na Craig footbridge is to be repaired and repainted in a £275,000 makeover which will see the crossing close for two months from October 14.
Around 30 “love locks” will be broken off and binned unless sweethearts who secured them to the category B-listed bridge return to retrieve them.
However, as the tradition is to throw away the key to symbolise unbreakable love, it is thought unlikely that romantic couples will reclaim them.
Love locks are believed to be inspired by a rite mentioned in two novels by Italian writer Federico Moccia, Three metres above the sky, published in 1992, and I Desire You, which hit the shelves in 2006, although there is folklore that the custom was carried out by a young couple in Serbia before the Second World War.
Engraved padlocks can now be found fixed to structures across the world, with some local authorities threatening to fine lovers who leave them behind.
Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that love locks attached to the 100-year-old Port-na-Craig footbridge will be removed ahead of a refurbishment.
A spokeswoman said: “It will be helpful if anyone who has attached a padlock to the bridge could remove it as soon as possible, otherwise the council will do this to enable the works to be completed.”
Chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council Andrew Holmes described the love locks as a “recent craze”.
He said: “It’s suddenly happened over the last few months. There are padlocks with people’s names engraved, little hearts, things like that. There’s about 20 or 30.
“I think it must be tourists that leave them. The population of Pitlochry has twice the number of pensioners than the national average, so I don’t think locals will be in the habit of making romantic gestures like this.
“I won’t be sad to see them go. Some of them have already started to rust, anyway. I don’t think they add anything to the appearance of what is a handsome Edwardian bridge. Other people might have other views.”
Completed in 1913, the Port Na Craig wire rope suspension bridge spans the River Tummel, linking Ferry Crescent in the town centre and Port-na-Craig Road, providing pedestrian access to Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
The upgrade will see hanger bars replaced and the main span and foundations strengthened. The historic structure will also be fully repainted in its existing colours. It is expected to reopen on December 20.
During the closure, a temporary pedestrian diversion will be in place over Pitlochry Dam, with an alternative route available for wheelchair and mobility scooter users via Aldour bridge and the core path network.
The council apologised for “any inconvenience caused” but Andrew Holmes welcomed the upgrade.
“It’s great to see the bridge being maintained and kept in working order,” he told The Courier. The closure is a minor inconvenience but there’s no alternative, you’ve got to live with it.
“If they don’t do it now, sooner or later it will deteriorate and close permanently.”