Joseph Mitchell

1803 - 1883

Civil engineer. Joseph Mitchell was born in Forres and educated in Inverness Academy and in Aberdeen. He assisted Thomas Telford (1757 - 1834) in the construction of the Caledonian Canal and went on to hold the post of Inspector of Highland Roads and Bridges for 40 years from 1824. He was responsible for creating the network of parliamentary roads. As engineer to the Scottish Fisheries Board, he was responsible for improving many harbours throughout the country. He was also involved in the surveying and construction of railways, including the line between Perth and Inverness. He served as Engineer to the Highland Railway.

Mitchell wrote a two-volume work Reminiscences of my Life in the Highlands published in 1883. His home was Viewhill in Inverness.

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