Image: Craigellachie Telford Bridge by Craig Williams, 14 January 2007, sourced from Geograph via Wikimedia Commons and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Thomas Telford’s great iron arch crosses the Spey in one clear span, joining industrial casting technology to castle-like granite approaches.
Quick facts
- Date
- Dated 1814; restored 1964
- Architect / designer
- Thomas Telford; iron cast at Plas Kynaston, Ruabon
- Type
- Single-span cast-iron road bridge on granite abutments
- Designation
- Listed building, Category A (LB2357)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 28532 45194
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
Four segmental iron ribs spring from tooled granite abutments. Lattice braces rise to the former carriageway, while crenellated circular turrets frame both approaches and the northern masonry keys directly into the cliff.
Its story
The bridge opened in 1814 and its ironwork came from Plas Kynaston in Denbighshire. County authorities restored it in 1964, and a new road bridge later removed through traffic from the historic structure.
Why it is included
Category A listing identifies the oldest wide-span cast-iron bridge in Scotland and an unusually complete expression of Telford’s integration of engineering, landscape and architectural drama.
What to notice
- Four iron arch ribs beneath the deck.
- Crenellated circular turrets at the approaches.
- Cast plaques naming the foundry and the restoration.
Reading the surroundings
Approach only by current public routes, follow barriers and signs, and keep clear of steep banks and the river. Do not assume that reaching the bridge means the deck is open for crossing.
Timeline
- 1814 Ironwork cast in Wales formed a new single-span crossing of the Spey.
- 1964 Three county councils completed a documented restoration campaign.
- Early 1970s A downstream replacement removed ordinary road traffic from the old bridge.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The precise opening day and present-day crossing arrangements were not established from the designation; local restrictions can change.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Craigellachie Telford Bridge, LB2357 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB2357 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Moray Ways: Craigellachie to Telford Bridge — Current approach route, terrain, distance and responsible-access guidance.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 28532 45194 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms record identity and archival context. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.