The photographic collection, held in Historic Environment Scotland archives, is made up of 57,000 photographs created by David Wilson Laing Studios, Blairgowrie.
To mark 60 years of the Tay Road Bridge, Historic Environment Scotland has uncovered rare archive photographs documenting its construction and Dundee’s changing skyline.
On August 18, 1966, the Tay Road Bridge officially opened to traffic, connecting Dundee to Fife.
Now, six decades later, the impressive structure remains one of the busiest bridges in Europe - it carried an estimated two million journeys across the river Tay in the last year alone.
Work started on the construction of the Tay Road Bridge in 1963, following decades of discussion and test borings conducted in the 1950s.
In 1842, plans for a chain ferry or ‘floating bridge’ were drawn up but never executed.
The bridge was designed by William Fairhurst of WA Fairhurst & Partners.
He had two contrasting but successful careers as a bridge builder and International Master chess player.
Duncan Logan Construction Ltd were the civil engineering company, with steelwork by Dorman Long Ltd.
Willie Logan, of Duncan Logan and founder of Loganair, was killed in a plane crash outside of Inverness in January 1966.
He never saw the bridge’s completion. His gravestone in Fodderty Cemetery in Ross and Cromarty is designed in the shape of a section of the Tay Road Bridge.
The D. Wilson Laing Photographic Collection, held in Historic Environment Scotland archives, comprises around 57,000 photographs created by David Wilson Laing Studios, Blairgowrie.
Opened in 1929 by the titular photographer, the studio continued an imaging legacy by Laing’s father who opened studios in Forfar and Kirriemuir. David Wilson Laing’s wife, Mary Constable Laing, and son, David Constable Laing, also worked as photographers at the Blairgowrie studio.
With the Tay Road Bridge being built directly on the shore on Dundee, the images produced by Laing also show the city’s changing landscape.
Landmarks that once defined the city can be identified in the photographs, including Earl Grey Dock, Dundee’s many chimneys and the Royal Arch.
You can see the latter here before, during and after its demolition, including several images taken from atop the arch itself.
A spokesperson from HES said: “Laing’s photographs are immensely important, not only for showing the changing cityscape of Dundee, but also practically.
“They have been digitised to protect the images when the original negatives eventually and inevitably deteriorate. Digitisation also makes them accessible for use by civil engineers and the Scottish Roads Archive.
“They help inform ongoing work to maintain and repair Scotland’s infrastructure. In the instance of the construction of the Tay Road Bridge, Laing has photographed welding and internal systems that cannot be seen externally.”
In 1966 the Tay Road Bridge was finally finished, complete with railings, viewing platforms and toll office.
On the first four days of opening, the bridge was toll free. Afterwards, it cost 2/6 (12.5p) for cars, 1/- (10p) for motorcycles and 10/- (50p) for heavy goods vehicles.
In 1989, the toll rose to 30p, then in 1992 to 80p. Finally, in 2007 the Scottish Government voted to remove tolls altogether.
In 2008 the Tay Road Bridge was free to all.
Words and pictures courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland
1. Tay Road Bridge Logan crane with view across infilled dock on 3 December 1964. HES
Tay Road Bridge Logan crane with view across infilled dock on 3 December 1964. | HES
2. Tay Road Bridge Pier foundations in Fife. HES
Pier foundations in Fife | HES
3. Tay Road Bridge View from unfinished road bridge towards Dundee. HES
View from unfinished road bridge towards Dundee | HES
4. Tay Road Bridge View from crane over dock showing semi demolished Royal Arch. HES
View from crane over dock showing semi demolished Royal Arch | HES