Repairing the Achlain bridges

Improving access to remote areas of Scotland is not new. General George Wade began constructing his famous military road network in the Highlands in 1725.

Wade built more than 400 kilometres of road and about 40 bridges. His roads linked the barracks of:

  • Fort William
  • Fort Augustus
  • Inverness
  • Ruthven
An old stone bridge covered in grass, under which water flows over a small waterfall, at Achlain Bridge.

Marching with the Redcoats

Major William Caulfield greatly extended the roads between 1740 and 1767. The new road linked the garrison at Fort Augustus to the barracks in Glenelg.

This road appears on Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55). Large parts of this road are now overlain by modern roads, a small surviving section can be found in Glen Moriston.

Modern methods

The bridges needed consolidation and repair to make them safe for the future and for visitors to enjoy them.

We first commissioned a detailed archaeological survey to help guide our work and provide a lasting record.

Skilled stonemasons then carefully repaired the three single-span hump backed bridges.

Historic bridge conservation project

We are also involved in other historic bridge conservation projects in the Highlands.

The imposing 18th century military bridge of Little Garve was the subject of major conservation in 2005.

The pioneering late 19th century steel span footbridge at Invergarry was repaired in 2011. 

We've also worked to conserve the early 19th century parliamentary bridge of Allt Ratagan, built to a Thomas Telford design.

 

A stone bridge at Little Garve, under which there is fast flowing white water between rocks.
Little Garve bridge