Craigellachie Bridge – the connecting bridge

Generally speaking, the Craigellachie Bridge is more than just a connection between two lots of land; though in fact  it is a wide curving arch, not only impressive but also rather fascinating in showing how brilliantly the builders of past centuries have worked. This Scottish bridge is a very important building and is deservedly one of the most famous sights in Scotland. Even if, when naming Scotland, one thinks first at Loch Ness and the Loch Ness monster, the country has more beautiful sights worth visiting.

The bridge was built from 1812 to 1814 and it stands out by the fact that it was made ​​of cast iron. The Craigellachie Bridge is a design penned by Thomas Telford, a famous civil engineer of the time, who succeeded, yet again, a masterpiece. The bridge stretches from Craigellachie in an arch across the landscape. It is one of the famous bridges and it lines up with the many well known Scottish monuments - castles, bridges or medieval towns.

The architecture of the bridge is characterized by the fact that it features only one opening and it is moreover designed as particularly narrow. At the time, this was rather exclusive and very innovative. In 1960, the bridge has been investigated scientifically. Thus, it was found that a special material was in question, since the bridge, built of cast iron, shows a particularly high tensile strength. This must have been intended as such; otherwise it would have been possible that the stone pillars which support the bridge yielded to their use. The bridge would have thus never been able to bear large loads. Therefore, the decision of Telford was in favor of a very durable and tension resistant material. In a normal arch stone bridge, the tensile loads in action are totally different. Telford must have been aware that in this case a special tensile strength was necessary. This is also outstanding, since even this knowledge existed at the time, it was not available in such extensive form.  Also, it would have been possible that the cast iron bridge bended at too low tensile strength. This would have been the worst case scenario, since one could put it like this: several meters above the river, the bridge bends and numerous passersby fall. In order for this to be prevented, Telford had to reach to a particular material.

The ends of the bridge are guarded by two towers. These seem medieval and show crenels and parapets. The height of each tower is 15 meters.

Until the end of the works, in 1963, the bridge could not be used. Once the structural measurements were completed, the bridge was used for car traffic until 1972.

Today, the Craigellachie Bridge is considered a Category A building, which means that it has been declared a National Monument. The Body of Civil Engineers designated the bridge as "a milestone in civil engineering." And anyone who gets to lay eye on this bridge in real life would give the specialized body right; because a building so imposing, fragile and at the same time strong acting is hard to find in this shape. One should also keep in mind what century the bridge was built, for truly, it was a real milestone, not only a simple working road.