C1154 (Highland)
C1154 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Cawdor (NH846502) | |||
To: | Aitnoch (NH975409) | |||
Via: | Dulsie Bridge | |||
Distance: | 12.4 miles (20 km) | |||
Meets: | B9090, C1161, C1173, B9007, A939 | |||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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For other roads numbered C1154, see C1154.
The C1154 takes a meandering route across rural Nairnshire, starting at Cawdor and running vaguely south then east to pick up the old military road to Dava. It starts on the B9090 at the east end of Cawdor village and heads south then south east to Urchany, where it meets the C1161. Turning back towards the south it runs to Clunas, and either here or at Balmore about a mile to the south, it picks up the line of the military road built in the 1750s by Major Caulfeild. Heading east now, there are some long straights characteristic of the military roads, and a couple of old bridges which are probably original.
The road turns south again near Dulsie Wood, and runs along above the River Findhorn, before turning to cross Dulsie Bridge. This impressive structure does indeed date back to the original construction of the road, as it spans a narrow pinch point over the river. The road then winds up the hill to a crossroads with the B9007 at Burnside. Whilst this is all the old military road line, the 'main' line forks right and crosses to Dunearn Lodge, from where its route can be traced up the hill to the B9007 beyond. There is also an abandoned bridge alongside the road here, where even the stream has found a new route, leaving the bridge high and dry!
The final part of the route crosses from the B9007 to the A939 at Aitnoch, about a mile west of Dava. At first the long straight signals that this is still the military road, but then a track forks right to climb over the hill, and this is the original route, the more modern road taking an easier line round the hill to reach the main road nearly a mile further north.