Amulree Bridge

Amulree Bridge is an early 18th-century military bridge built to cross the River Braan. It features two main arches spanning the river, along with an additional flood relief arch to the south. The bridge is situated immediately west of the A822 road, which it formerly carried until the construction of a replacement road bridge in 2010. The bridge is constructed from rubble masonry, with roughly worked voussoirs forming the arches. The two main arches meet in the middle of the river and have pointed cutwaters. A level carriageway is present, with parapets surviving on either side. The rubble parapets contain sections of concrete replacement and repair, and there are other concrete repairs to the northern main arch and the flood relief arch. Buttresses of rubble masonry and concrete are located on the west side of the bridge.

The bridge’s construction is linked to the military road program undertaken in Scotland between the early 1720s and the late 1750s, with approximately 1700km of road built, largely by General Wade and Major Caulfeild. Initial works began in 1725, involving repairs to fortifications and the establishment of new forts. The road network was improved to connect garrisons including Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Fort George. Later, the focus shifted to expanding the network between Dunkeld and Inverness, with branches connecting Crieff and Fort Augustus. A second major program, supervised by Major William Caulfeild from 1741, included routes between Crieff and Stirling, Dumbarton and Inverary, Stirling to Fort William, Coupar Angus to Fort George, and Amulree to Dunkeld.

The bridge relates to the Crieff to Aberfeldy section of the military road and was likely constructed between 1725 and 1740. There were likely subsequent phases of alteration, and the small flood relief arch may be a later addition. Historical widening and the addition of parapets are also probable. The bridge ceased to be used when the more recent bridge on the A822 was built to the east of Amulree.