I’ve been an avid follower of John Grant’s blog Meticulous Mick since it started a few years back. I love his photography and his way with words.
Here’s the stunning photograph and the deeply touching words that accompanied it:
This bridge can be found in the pass of Rest and be Thankful, Argyllshire, Scotland and is known simply as the “Butter Bridge”. Completed in the mid 18th century as part of the old military road linking Dumbarton to Inveraray, it was heavily used as a drover’s route to bring cattle to the markets of the south. The new road (A83) now crosses the river a little higher up, leaving the old single span bridge in peace.
The bridge is set in stunning, wild countryside and with the gurgling river, whistling of the wind and bleat of the sheep, it is easy to just sit here and step back in time. It is a bridge where one cannot simply pass, a stop is required. Time to reflect, time to rest and time to be thankful.
For me this bridge holds something deep and personal too; this was the bridge we stopped off at the first time we sought out the place where my father’s grave lies. Around eighteen months later we would return, on our way to the Isle of Mull for a holiday with my sisters and their families. This trip allowed us to witness the elegant granite headstone now in place.
Fast forward another twelve months and we found ourselves at the Butter Bridge once more, on our way to a wedding. A very important wedding; our own.
Of course we have been back since, it is after all a bridge like no other for me.
*****
Thank you so much Jean for including me in on your project, MM 🍀
My pleasure, MM. Just love everything about your contribution.
Wonderful landscape and such touching stories to go with it.
Hi Andrea, agree wholeheartedly.
Amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it, Suz.
Another great contribution, personal to Mick and no doubt to many others over the years. Thank goodness there seems to be a collective will to recognise and upkeep these structures.
Roy, I hope the collective will gets a bit stronger in Ireland. Some lovely bridges are looking very ragged here, to say the least. I know we have recession etc but we cant get the structures back if they go into total decay.
Reblogged this on meticulousmick and commented:
Thought I should let you all in on a piece I provided to Jean at Social Bridge for her “Festival of Bridges” series. Jean has umpteen followers, so her site is worth visiting if not already acquainted.
Thanks very much for your Reblog and, more especially, your kind words.
A combining of two of my favourite “forces” in Ireland (though the image is in MY family’s country of birth! Can’t miss!
Thanks Dale. MM is a super photographer and blogger. I’m delighted to have him here!
I agree … the photo is super and so are his wonderful words 🙂
Julie, many thanks for writing. It certainly is a brilliant post by any standard.
John has a wonderful eye.
Hi DH, thanks for writing. Yes, I think his work his superb.
There can be no better place for this peaceful scene, than the pass of Rest and Be Thankful 🙂 ❤ ❤