White Bridge (Strathfillan)

This article is about the bridges across the River Fillan.
For other White Bridges, see White Bridge.

Drochaid Bhan

The White Bridge - known as Drochaid Bhan - is the old bridge lying about 500m upstream of the modern A82 bridge over the river. The bridge comprises three stone arches, although only the central span crosses the river itself, the smaller side arches cross the banks, except in times of flood! Approaching from the south, the road took a sharp right turn onto the bridge, but on the northern side the curve was much more gentle.

Possible site of Caulfeild's bridge adjacent to the White Bridge

The bridge appears to be the original structure built by Thomas Telford, or perhaps Major Caulfeild even earlier. However, the alignment of the Military Road's bank in the neighbouring field would suggest that that road crossed a little to the west, and there is possible evidence in the river of former piers. The bridge has subsequently been widened, as can be seen by looking at the inside of the arch, where the eastern third is noticably to a different design. The outer face of the bridge has been faithfully reproduced however, so to the casual observer it all looks original. The western parapet also shows signs of reconstruction, presumably following accident damage, although it is not clear when this work was done.

Modern Bridge

The modern bridge across the River Fillan

As mentioned above, the A82 now crosses the River Fillan some 500m downstream, providing the road with a straighter and wider alignment away from the scattered properties in Strathfillan. From the motorists point of view, it is hard to spot the bridge as they flash through at 60mph, not something that could be said of the sharp approaches to the old bridge!