Craigellachie Bridge

The Craigellachie Bridge is a remarkable A-listed cast-iron structure which crosses the River Spey a quarter-mile (0.5 km) west northwest of Craigellachie in Moray. The work of renowned engineer Thomas Telford (1757 - 1834), the bridge was constructed 1812-15 and represents the oldest surviving iron bridge in Scotland. The dramatic latticed single span extends to 45.7m (150 feet) gently curving between two 15-m (49-foot) high battlemented masonry abutments. The ironwork was cast to Telford's exacting specifications in North Wales and brought by sea to Speymouth, where the sections were loaded onto wagons and transported overland to Craigellachie.

The bridge was refurbished in 1963-4 and was in regular use until 1972, when it was replaced by a modern bridge a short distance downstream. This fine structure is well-preserved, remains open to pedestrians and has been proposed as a World Heritage Site. On the 4th July 2007, the Institution of Civil Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled a plaque on the bridge which acknowledged its international importance.

The bridge inspired a popular dance tune, composed in 1814 by William Marshall (1748 - 1843).

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