Visitors to the historic Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire can now enjoy improved access, thanks to the installation of a brand-new footbridge delivered by Story Contracting in collaboration with Ayrshire Roads Alliance.
The new footbridge provides a safe and accessible crossing for the community and visitors to the iconic 14th-century castle and its surrounding paths. The project is a shining example of partnership working to enhance walking and cycling routes in the region.
James O’Sullivan, Senior Project Manager at Story Contracting, commented: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to deliver this footbridge to the community on behalf of our partnership with Ayrshire Roads Alliance. Dundonald Castle is a treasured landmark, and we hope the new bridge that we have built will encourage more people to explore the area and appreciate its history and natural beauty.”
Councillor Bob Pollock, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: “The new bridge is looking fantastic! This is a great example of everyone pulling together towards a common goal and the results are amazing. Brian McQuiston is a stalwart member of the local community, and this bridge is a fitting compliment to a man who has always brought people together.”
Councillor Alec Clark, Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs Portfolio Holder for the Council said: “This is a marvellous bridge and ties together so many local trails and paths. I have no doubt the new crossing will increase visitor numbers to the historic castle and its visitor centre. Thanks to everyone involved, particularly Story Contracting for installing the bridge.”
Anne Campbell, Chairperson of Friends of Dundonald Castle (FoDC) added: “This bridge will create a fantastic accessible resource for everyone. We couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has brought this together. As with everything we do at FoDC, this is a community driven project with people from different paths crossing to bring this together for the benefit of everyone.”
To mark the completion of the new bridge, an official opening ceremony was held in December, during which the bridge was named “McQuiston Bridge” in honour of Brian McQuiston – a dedicated member of the Dundonald community and Vice Chair of Friends of Dundonald Castle. Brian played a pivotal role in the project, recognising the need for better connectivity after helping to reinstate the old path around the base of Dundonald Castle.
The newly built bridge now provides a convenient connection between the popular Smugglers’ Walking Trail and the McQuiston Trail at Dundonald Castle, which traces an old walking path around the castle’s base. This addition enhances the area’s trail network by offering a flatter and shorter route, making it easier for visitors to bypass the challenging hills of the Smugglers’ Trail. With this improvement, the walking routes are now more accessible, solidifying the area’s reputation as a must-visit destination in Ayrshire.
