Ailort Bridge

Ailort Bridge is a modern 3 span concrete bridge crossing the mouth of the River Ailort near the western end of the A861. It was built in 1967 as part of the new road from Lochailort to Kinlochmoidart which connected the coastal communities of Roshven and Glenuig to the outside world. Prior to this road being built, their main access was by boat, although off-road tracks did exist. The bridge itself is of 3 spans because it crosses the wide, tidal river mouth. At low tides the river flows through the middle span only, but when the river is in spare or at high tides all three spans are needed.

Inverailort Bridge

Lying almost half a mile upstream is another bridge over the River Ailort. This is a timber deck resting on steel beams between stone abutments and was originally built to provide access to Inverailort Castle and estate which lies on the south side of the river. The bridge therefore used to be part of the public road from the A830 to serve the properties of Inverailort, but since the new road was built, the section from the south bank of the bridge up to the A830 is closed to through traffic, other than for estate use. The current span here is clearly not to the original design, there are vestiges of a stone wing wall at the south east corner, and the stone abutments show some evidence of being reconstructed. It seems likely that the bridge was originally a stone arch, probably in a style suitable for the approach to Inverailort Castle, and later adapted to its current form.