To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies

Bridge over the Atlantic

Bernera, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9LP

Type:Historic Sites

Add Bridge over the Atlantic to your Itinerary

The Old Bridge Bernera

Book Tickets Online

About

The Bernera Bridge is a lifeline to the island, providing a connection with mainland Lewis for supplies and commuting. Prior to its construction boats were used to transport people, livestock and goods to and from mainland Lewis. However, after WWI, the people of Great Bernera, realising how their relative isolation could negatively impact the future of their island, started a campaign for a permanent connection to the mainland. It was said that the spirited islanders apparently threatened to blow up the cliffs and create their own causeway, but thankfully before they did, in 1951 public funding was granted and construction began to build a bridge to span the narrows.

The bridge design was a breakthrough for British civil engineering at the time. It was the first of its kind in the UK to be built with pre-stressed concrete girders and utilised only a quarter of the steel required in conventional bridge building. The opening was a cheerful day with over 4000 people attending to take those first steps across the new bridge.

But this is not the end of the story; ‘The Bridge Across the Atlantic’ as it was more affectionately known, was due a routine structural survey in 2020. Serious faults were discovered and a weight restriction of 7.5T was immediately placed on the bridge meaning the community had pull together to find different ways of collecting rubbish and delivering oil, gas and heavy building materials. Once again, the residents of Bernera waited with in trepidation to see if a new bridge would be provided. In 2021 funding was secured and work began in March 2021 to build a single span Delta bridge, capable of carrying 44 tonne loads. At a cost of close to £2,000,000 the bridge was officially opened to all vehicles on 15th December 2021. The ribbon was cut and once again a lively crowd gathered to cross over the Atlantic!

The old bridge remains in place and is now a popular stopping-off point for mackerel fishing in the summer months, taking in the lovely views, picnicking, and visiting the small group of Standing Stones called Ceann Thulabhaig (Callanish VII) which lie on the hill at the north end of the bridge.

Image: The Old Bernera Bridge

Image by: https://www.instagram.com/eyetracking

Facilities

Facilities

  • Picnic Area

Transport

  • Parking

Map & Directions

TripAdvisor

What's Nearby

  1. Other points of interest on Bernera and the surrounding land include the bridge, standing…

    0.09 miles away
  2. New gallery and studio open from June 2023. Open by appoinment most of the time. Closed…

    1.64 miles away
  3. Large semi-aquatic animal. Very sleek profile in water.

    1.68 miles away
  1. The standing stones of Calanais are the most famous archaeological monument in the Outer…

    3.04 miles away
  2. While the Calanais Visitor Centre is undergoing transformation into a much-improved…

    3.12 miles away
  3. Hebridean designer jewellery. Beautiful designed precious jewellery inspired and shaped…

    3.15 miles away
  4. The Hebridean Soap Company produces hand made soap in the village of Breasclete.We use…

    3.16 miles away
  5. bold colourful landscapes

    3.2 miles away
  6. Public Art structure by artists Marian Leven and Will Maclean that reflects local,…

    3.62 miles away
  7. Remains of an oval stone ring with 5 standing stones and at least two fallen ones dating…

    3.67 miles away
  8. Tall, slim stems with pale blue flowers

    3.71 miles away
  9. A low growing plant with small white 2 lobed flowers. Found on improved agricultural land…

    3.81 miles away
  10. An outer ring now with 8 standing stones and 5 fallen ones, with an inner group of 4…

    3.84 miles away
  11. An Iron Age house which was reconstructed in 1999 following a storm in 1993 which…

    4.02 miles away
  12. Tall slim leaves with large bright yellow flower

    4.08 miles away
  13. Low/medium annual flowering plant with White/Mauve flowers

    4.11 miles away
Previous Next

My Planner

You can build your own holiday itinerary here! Just browse our site and click this button to add to your itinerary when you see something you like. If your planner is not finished, simply click save and you can come back to it later on! You also have the option to send your itinerary to our tailor made holiday partner.

Places to Eat

Our Islands