Star.pngStar.pngStar.pngStar grey.pngStar grey.png

Clachan Duich Bridge

From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Clachan Duich Bridge
Location Map ( geo)
Morvich-cswy1.jpg
Cameraicon.png View gallery (7)
From:  Shiel Bridge
To:  Inverinate
Location
Kintail
County
Ross-shire
Highway Authority
Transport Scotland
Opening Date
1972
Additional Information
Bridge Type:  Concrete Bridge
On road(s)
A87
Crossings related to the A87
Aerial view of the bridge and causeway from the east

The Clachan Duich Bridge forms part of the Morvich Causeway across the head of Loch Duich in Kintail. It was built to divert the A87 away from the narrow roads and old Croe Bridge in Morvich itself.

The Causeway

The 0.4 mile Causeway at the head of Loch Duich takes traffic away from the small village of Morvich. The causeway curves from northeast to northwest before crossing the Clachan Duich Bridge at the northern end. The road lands beneath the ruined chapel that once served this part of Kintail.

The Causeway is constructed of large rocks piled into the water, or at least onto the beach at low tide! Smaller, looser material appears to have been used at the northern end, and the verges either side of the road are grassed, with some bushes. Barriers run the full length of the causeway on both sides of the road. It was opened in 1972.

Clachan Duich Bridge

The bridge across the River Croe in the Morvich Causeway is a three span concrete structure. There are angled abutments at either end around the stone base of the causeway.

Croe Bridge

The old Croe Bridge is still used by the local road through Morvich. It was originally built in 1815 by Thomas Telford as part of his Highland Roads. There are three wide arches across the river, making it one of the largest bridges Telford built on his road from Invermoriston to Lochalsh.

History

The contract for the reconstruction of the section from Shiel Bridge to Inverinate was awarded in August 1970 and was expected to be opened by mid 1972. It was completed in 1972 per the 1972 Scottish Development Department Report. The improvement scheme was 1.92 miles and included the construction of a 0.4 mile long causeway across the head of Loch Duich with bridges over Allt a Chruinn and the River Croe and associated improvements near Kintail Lodge and Inverinate. It removed the need for a 2.5 mile detour around the head of the Loch at Morvich. Contractor was William Briggs Construction of Dundee, contract price £440,000. It completed the reconstruction of A87 to S2 over the 50 mile length from Kyle of Lochalsh to Invergarry.




Clachan Duich Bridge
Related Pictures
View gallery (7)
Morvich-cswy1.jpgA87 bridge near Morvich - Coppermine - 5936.jpgA87-duich1.jpgA87 Clachan Duich Bridge plaque.jpgA87 Clachan Duich Bridge - view from war memorial.jpg

SABRE - The Society for All British and Irish Road Enthusiasts
Discuss - Digest - Discover - Help