Dalcrag Bridge

There are two bridges across the Allt an Loin at Dalcrag in Stratherrick. The river, which drains Loch Mhor, was once much larger and more powerful. However, when Loch Mhor was created by enlarging Loch Garth and Loch Farraline to provide Hydro Power for the Aluminium Smelter in Foyers on the shore of Loch Ness, the flow was severely restricted. The Smelter is long gone, but the loch still provides water for the Pumped Storage Hydro Electric scheme that took over.

The Old Bridge

Lying a little downstream from the modern bridge, the old single span stone arch carries a single track road across the river. Whilst on the probably site of General Wades crossing of the river, the flat deck and general appearance of the bridge suggest it post dates Wades Military Roads in the area.

The New Bridge

The precise date of the realignment of the B862 and the new junction with the B852 at Dalcrag are uncertain, although the 1962 OS map appears to show the road still using the old bridge. The realignment provides a short stretch of S2 through the junction, and removes the tight junction at the very end of the narrow bridge. This obviously required a new bridge to carry the B862 across the river, and it is a fairly typical single span concrete deck carrying the two lane road across, with narrow pavements on either side.

Junction

As mentioned above, the B862 and B852 meet immediately to the north of the bridge, albeit not quite as close to the river bank as previously! The new junction therefore lies a little to the east of the old, and provides a lot more space for turning traffic. The old line of the B862 to the north of the junction is now a wide, muddy area partly overgrown, which seems to be used for parking for the nearby cemetery. To the south of the bridges, the fork where the old and new roads split has been closed up. Instead, access to the old road is via the former side road that led to Stratherrick Catholic Church. This road, right through across the old bridge, seems to be open for access at both ends, despite only serving a couple of field gates.