22 Bridges to Explore in Scotland

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Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Mainland Scotland has a 96 mile (154 km) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast, and the Irish Sea to the south. Scotland includes more than 790 islands.

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Bridges to Explore in Scotland

Belhaven Bridge

Belhaven Bridge, known as the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, is a bridge across the Biel Water. The Biel Water is a stream that runs from the Luggate Burn through the village of Biel into Belhaven Bay. The image of this lonely bridge surrounded by water is very evocative and it has become very popular with photographers. The colours reflected in the water, the sand dunes, and the bridge combine to deliver a memorable sight. There are lots of interesting bird species in this area that add to the beauty of

Bracklinn Falls Bridge

A majestic bridge which was weighing 20 tonne was built across across Bracklinn Falls. The wood and copper structure had to be built on site as the thick woodland also meant helicopters could not be used in the construction.

Brig o' Doon

This is a late medeival high single arched bridge crossing the River Doon at the south end of Alloway. It is believed to have been built in the 1400s: until then it had been necessary to cross the river using a ford. As a result a new bridge was built a couple of hundred yards downstream. This opened to traffic in 1816, and today still carries the main road through Alloway south towards Maybole and beyond.

Cartland Bridge

Cartland Bridge is one of the many intact similarly designed canal bridges built to span the Grand Canal by the Grand Canal Company. This section of the canal was opened in 1797. The voussoirs and string course contrast with the random rubble walls of the bridge providing textural variation. The carved name and date plaques are notable features on the bridge. It is notable for being the highest bridge over inland water in Scotland.It is a category B listed building.

Craigellachie Bridge

Craigellachie Bridge is a cast iron arch bridge across the River Spey at Craigellachie. The bridge was built by the famous engineer Thomas Telford between 1812 and 1814. It features two sets of mock-Medieval turrets, standing 15 feet high on each side of the river. The bridge was commemorated on a Royal Mail postage stamp in 2015.It also features in the artwork and logos of Spey Valley Brewery who brew an 1814 lager in commemoration of the bridge

Craigmin Bridge

Craigmin Bridge is an eighteenth century bridge within the grounds of Letterfourie House, in Moray, Scotland. Spanning the Burn of Letterfourie, it once formed part of the main approach road to the house. The bridge has a very unusual two-tier design, with a lower, single-arched span supporting two semi-circular arches above, with a smaller segmental arch and a mural passage between them, and a shallow round-headed niche above in the spandrel.

Erskine bridge

The Erskine Bridge is a major crossing of the Clyde Estuary to the west of Glasgow. It is the only bridge in Scotland with single cables over central main supports, and was a precursor of the Millau Viaduct in France. Including the approaches, Erskine Bridge is 1,322m long and cost some £10.5 million to build. It is the lowest crossing point of the River Clyde.

Forth Road Bridge

The Forth Road Bridge is one of the world’s most significant long span suspension bridges. With a main span of 1006 metres between the two towers, it was the fourth longest in the world and the longest outside the United States when it opened. In total, the structure is over 2.5 km long.It replaced a centuries-old ferry service to carry vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians across the Forth; railway crossings are made by the nearby Forth Bridge, opened in 1890.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

A railway viaduct on the West Highland Line. The viaduct is built from mass concrete, and has 21 semicircular spans of 50 feet (15 m). It is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 416 yards (380 m). Glenfinnan Viaduct has been used as a location in several films and television series, most natably in four of the Harry Potter films.

Kessock Bridge

The Kessock Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Beauly Firth inlet. The bridge has a total length of 1,056 metres (3,465 ft) with a main span of 240 metres (787 ft). The four bridge towers dominate the Inverness skyline, especially at night when they are lit.

Kincardine Bridge

The Kincardine Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Firth of Forth from Falkirk council area to Kincardine, Fife, Scotland. The bridge was constructed with a swinging central section which remained in use until 1988, that would allow larger ships to sail upstream to the small port at Alloa.

Nairn Viaduct

The Culloden Viaduct, known also as the Nairn Viaduct or the Clava Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the Highland Main Line. It was opened in 1898 as part of the Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway. The 29 span viaduct crosses the wide valley of the River Nairn. At 1800 ft (549 m) in length, it is the longest masonry viaduct in Scotland.

Nasmyth Bridge

The Nasmyth Bridge crosses the River Almond a half-mile north of East Calder in West Lothian, beyond the Camps Viaduct. It was commissioned by Henry Erskine to provide a southern access to Almondell, his country estate. This romantic bridge was built in sandstone ashlar c.1800 to the designs of Alexander Nasmyth and features two rustic arches of different spans, together with a crenellated parapet and balustrade.

Neptune's Staircase

Neptune's Staircase is a staircase lock comprising eight locks on the Caledonian Canal which connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach near Fort William. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain, lifting boats 64 feet (20 m). It consists of eight locks, each 180 feet (55 m) by 40 feet (12 m), and it takes boats about 90 minutes to pass through the system.

Ness Islands

The Ness Islands are situated on the River Ness, connected by suspension briges. The islands are a walking spot for tourists and locals and are home to a number of imported species of trees.

Nungate Bridge

This 16th century red sandstone bridge over the River Tyne in the East Lothian town of Haddington is limited to pedestrian traffic and is just about wide enough for a horse and cart. There are two 18th century arches on the eastern approach. The bridge itself is over 210ft [6.4m] long and 14ft 8 ins [1.4m] across the parapets; it has three main arches.

Old Stirling Bridge

Stirling Old Bridge is a stone bridge which crosses the River Forth. For over 300 years it provided the lowest crossing point of the Forth and so had strategic importance. The bridge originally had arches at either end and a defensive gate at the end nearer the burgh. Tolls were levied on goods being taken across the bridge.

Overtoun Bridge

A majestic bridge which was on the approaching road to Overtoun House, near Dumbarton in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It was a category B-listed structure completed in 1895, based on a design by the landscape architect H. E. Milner.

Stinchar Bridge

The Stinchar Bridge, and large Car Park, just in to the left here, are situated 7 miles south of the scenic village of Straiton, next to the B741 road, as seen below. That is the start of the Cornish Hill trail leading into the forest at the T sign.

Swilken Bridge

The Swilken Bridge (also Swilcan Bridge) is a stone arch bridge located in St. Andrews Links golf course, Scotland. It spans the Swilcan Burn, a small stream that flows into the North Sea. The Swilken Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in golf and is often referred to as the "Home of Golf". It is an iconic symbol of golf and a popular spot for tourists visiting St. Andrews.

Map of Bridges to explore in Scotland