Kilphedir Bridge

The bridge over the Kilphedir Burn

Kilphedir Bridge carries the A897 over the Kilphedir Burn in the Strath of Kildonan. It is a single stone arch, based on a design by Thomas Telford, but built in 1820, after Telford had finished construction work in the Highlands as part of his commission on Highland Roads and Bridges. At the same time, however, it is probably too early to have been carried out by Joseph Mitchell who became county surveyor for Sutherland and was responsible for much of the route of the A897. Telfords designs were, however, available for the counties to use after the completion of the main work of the commission.

Typical features of the Telford bridge designs include the battered abutments and parapets which curve down at the ends. However, this bridge has one significant difference, in that the whole bridge appears to be curved, the inner parapet having a tighter radius than the outer. There is also a plaque on the outside face of the downstream parapet carrying the Sutherland motto and the date 1820.