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Paul Owens

Overtoun Bridge

OVERTOUN SCRAPBOOK

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Overtoun Bridge Overtoun Bridge has been labelled "the spookiest bridge on earth!" With over 100 dogs leaping from its walls and parapets since its construction in 1895, it is the home to the "world's greatest dog leaping mystery."	White Lady Ghost Russian woman Marina Karpenko took this photo while visiting Overtoun in 2007. In the far left window pane of the castle next to the bridge a translucent whitish figure can be seen. Is it a trick of the light or the infamous ghost of Overtoun's White Lady?	A Thin Place Los Angeles cartoonist and painter Melinda Tracy Boyce's inkwash artist impression of Overtoun Bridge as a thin place. Overtoun is known as a “thin” place, a place where heaven and earth are regarded to be close. Those who pass across thin places often connect with God, the eternal dimension, or with those who have lived there in past times. Are supersensitive dogs connecting with someone or something from the past?
The Mystery Hunters Author Paul Owens (right) with Dr David Sands (left), canine expert standing on Overtoun Bridge.	Overtoun Bridge Winter Dog's have leapt from the bridge in large numbers from every part of the structure, and in all seasons, even winter.	Birds Eye View Overtoun Bridge from above showing its many turreted parapets from which huge numbers of dogs have jumped.
Broken Canon Barrell This stone cannon barrell came from the side of Overtoun Bridge requiring repair. As the picture shows the diameter of the barrel is not wide enough to support a squirrels drey which is around the size of a football. It appears unlikely that nesting squirrels or their scent are the cause of dogs leaping from the bridge.	Bridge's Opening Day Overtoun Bridge was officially opened by Lady Overtoun in 1895. This photograph shows the garden party celebration at Overtoun which followed. There a company of pipers plays music on the lawn tennis green a short distance from the bridge.	Baron Overtoun's Grave Baron Overtoun died in 1908. His grave is situated in Dumbarton Cemetery. The building of his majestic bridge would be his final achievement, but did he take the secrets of his mysterious bridge to the grave with him?
Overtoun Castle Overtoun Castle was built in 1863 by James White. After his death it was passed on to his son Baron Overtoun who built Overtoun Bridge next to it. This photograph was taken in 1892 shortly after Baron Overtoun started living there.

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