EDINBURGH school kids have worked alongside Balfour Beatty to publish two new books inspired by the history and refurbishment of the city’s iconic North Bridge.
Work to restore the 19th century bridge began in 2018 and is due to conclude in spring 2025, with it including reinforcements to the top deck, significant repairs to structural steelwork, and improvements to the crossing’s historic cast iron façade.
Pupils from Drummond Community High School and formerly from Leith Walk Primary School, Broughton Primary School, and Abbeyhill Primary School launched the books Stories from the Stones and What’s That About North Bridge.
The young authors worked closely with the North Bridge project team to develop stories for the books. This included site visits, which came as part of the North Bridge refurbishment arts legacy and community benefits programme and with funding from Historic Environment Scotland.
Drummond Community High pupils also worked with Ancestry and the City of Edinburgh Council’s archives department to explore old artefacts and documents relating to the bridge, helping to inspire characters and ideas. The project was facilitated by Super Power Agency, an Edinburgh based local charity that promotes writing and literacy.
At the special launch event pupils read from their books, which include fictional stories about an early 20th century sailor returning to his North Bridge home, an imagined military battle on the bridge and a magic potion which makes the whole bridge disappear.
Rory McFadden, of Balfour Beatty, said, “We were delighted to work alongside City of Edinburgh Council, the Superpower Agency, Ancestry.com, Developing the Young Workforce and Historic Environment Scotland, to collaborate with these talented young authors.
“We hope that by supporting the funding of the project and facilitating site visits for the young people to safely explore never before seen elements of the iconic North Bridge structure, we were able to spark their imaginations to create these two exciting new books.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, added, “It’s clear that the young authors of these books have vibrant imaginations – reading their stories has been very entertaining!
“It’s particularly interesting to see how they have woven the majesty and heritage of the North Bridge into their tales, and it’s evident that all those who contributed have spent a lot of time thinking about the bridge and its history. Thanks to the Community Benefits Programme we’re able to really involve local people to learn and participate in the scheme as it progresses.
“This is a huge project for the city and the people who live nearby, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience as it continues. Once complete it will retain the much-loved North Bridge for generations to come.”
