ALMOST two years to the day since the Benmore Bridge was buckled and broken by boats sweeping by in the earnest flooding of the River Eachaig, it is open once more.
The footbridge and main entrance to the Benmore Botanic Garden was officially reopened by Dominic Fry, the chair of the board of trustees at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
Piper Duncan McLeod impressed the group of people who gathered alongside Luke Senior, the curator, the garden team and volunteers.
Over these past two years visitors have missed the magnificent view of the 162- year old Redwood Avenue, as witnessed when walking over the bridge towards the garden.
Luke Senior and the team are very grateful to everyone who helped with the repairs to the bridge.
They say with the arrival of autumn, now is an ideal time to visit Benmore.
As well as the expected stunning colours of the season, there are many walks and talks to enjoy throughout the month of October. The Benmore Garden website has more details about events.
Set in a magnificent mountainside location on the Cowal Peninsula, Benmore Botanic Garden is rich in history and surrounded by dramatic scenery.
Celebrated for its towering conifers and spectacular rhododendrons, Benmore spans 120 acres and features a world-renowned collection of plants from regions such as the Himalayas, China, Japan, and North and South America.
On October 6-7 2023, there was widespread flooding across Argyll and Bute and as roads were closed nationwide, the HM Coastguard sent in one of its helicopters to rescue people trapped on the A83 and the A815.
Rainfall reached 75mm on low ground and reached 100mm on higher land over a 24-hour period.
Extreme rainfall is expected this weekend as Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, is created on the back of Hurricane Humberto.
