Clachan Bridge

The Clachan Bridge is also known as the Bridge over the Atlantic, the Atlantic Bridge, or Seil Bridge. All are appropriate, as the bridge does indeed cross a narrow channel of the Atlantic Ocean, to connect the Hebridean Island of Seil to the Argyll Mainland. However, the correct name is Clachan Bridge, after the village of Clachan Seil on the Seil side.

The Bridge

The bridge was built in 1792, after a short period of discussion in the local area. It replaced a ferry, although at low tide the channel can almost be jumped across, and was decided upon after a causeway was rejected - it would have blocked the channel, which was navigable at high tide!

The bridge took less than a year to build, despite unfounded rumours that the arch collapsed during construction. The single arch spans 22m across the channel, creating quite a hump on the roadway over the bridge. This hump was levelled off in the 1980s, to provide better access for longer vehicles. The only other major works to have been undertaken on the bridge appear to be the raising of the parapets, which were originally very low, low enough indeed for sheep to jump over - the reason why they were raised!

On either side of the arch, are slightly recessed 'portholes'. These appear to be for decoration only, and serve no real purpose.