Tributes to former Forth Road Bridgemaster, Bruce Grewar MBE

Bruce Grewar MBE, was deputy bridge-master of the historic structure when it opened on September 4, 1964 and was later appointed as bridgemaster.

Born in Dundee, he left school and went to work for a steel fabricator as a draughtsman. While he was doing this, he attended night school to study civil engineering.

He married wife Margo in 1960 and moved to Crossgates in 1964 when he took up the position of depute bridgemaster.

Bruce Grewar MBE who worked as bridgemaster on the Forth Road Bridge for over three decades. (Image: Contributed) The couple had two daughters, Nicky and Darlene, and the family moved to Dalgety Bay in 1971, living in Doune Park since 1979.

Much of his working life was consumed with the bridge and grandsons Thomas, Daniel and Rory, who are now grown up, always knew the famous landmark as 'Papa's Bridge'.

Darlene said: "For 32 years, his life was the bridge. We have memories of him working and being on call 24 hours a day.

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"I remember on a Saturday morning, he would pop in to see if everything was ok and he would get out the car and I would see him climb over the steelway and go under the walkways underneath. He would pop back and get back into the car.

Bruce Grewar MBE who worked as bridgemaster on the Forth Road Bridge for over three decades. (Image: Contributed)

"We thought nothing of it. The bridge has been such an enormous part of our lives."

Considered an expert on maintaining suspension bridges, Bruce was called onto give advice around the world.

"At the time of opening, the Forth Road Bridge was the longest suspension bridge anywhere in the world outside America. Since he started working there, he grew his expertise and knowledge and he regularly gave speeches and was invited to other bridges across the world. He travelled a lot giving his expertise.

"He knew every square inch of the bridge, He took it so seriously. He was so committed.

"Back in the days of the Forth Road Bridge, Blue Peter wanted to do a feature on the bridge and they sent the presenter at the time, Peter Purves," added Darlene.

"He described it as one of his favourite activities he ever did on the show was walking up the cables of the towers with my dad. We found a picture where Peter Purves was looking terrified and my dad is behind him."

Bruce Grewar MBE who worked as bridgemaster on the Forth Road Bridge for over three decades, with his three grandsons. (Image: Contributed)

Bruce, who also served as a Justice of the Peace, was awarded an MBE for services to road transport in 1994.

The family travelled to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony and he was presented with the honour by the Queen.

Retiring in 1996, Bruce lost beloved wife Margo in 2019 and lived independently in the family home until months before his death.