Highbridge, Stone bridge in Highland, Scotland.
Highbridge is a stone bridge crossing the River Spean with three arches built from rubble and dressed stone, supported by triangular buttresses that step down toward the water. The arches follow a segmental shape, and the bridge shows the solid engineering methods used to span the river while resisting the force of flowing water.
The bridge was built in 1736 as part of General Wade's military road-building program across the Highlands to improve access to remote areas. This project transformed travel through the region by creating a network of crossings over major rivers and difficult terrain.
The Category B listed building designation marks Highbridge as a structure of regional importance, representing early civil engineering in Scotland.
Visiting requires care since parts of the structure are in poor condition and dense growth makes the site difficult to explore safely. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for muddy or wet ground around the bridge and riverbank.
The bridge preserves fragments of a cast-iron footpath that once spanned sections where the original arches are now missing or damaged, showing how later repairs adapted the design. This addition reveals the practical solutions people developed to keep the crossing usable as the structure deteriorated over time.
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