Old Bridge, Allt Anndeir, Dalnamein Lodge

The bridge is an early 18th century single arched military bridge crossing the Allt Anndeir. No longer in use as a public road bridge but used privately, the bridge is located immediately north of the A9 road, northeast of Dalnamein Lodge. It is rubble built with roughly worked voussoirs forming the arch of the bridge. The level carriageway is now grass-covered with low parapets on either side of the carriageway. The bridge is sprung from bedrock on either side of the river. The underside of the bridge displays a joint running the length of the bridge - evidence for an historical widening of the structure. The bridge has gently battered buttresses on each side and both ends of the bridge carriageway are splayed. A carved stone milestone stands immediately northeast of the bridge.

Historical Development

There was an estimated total of 1700km of military road built in Scotland (approximately 400km by General Wade and 1300km by Major Caulfeild) between the early 1720s and the late 1750s.

The first programmes of work started in 1725 Under Wade's command, Repairs were made to various fortifications including Edinburgh Castle and at Fort William and new forts were built at Inverness (Fort George) and Killihuimen (Fort Augustus). Road communications and connections were improved between the garrisons at Fort William, Fort Augustus and Fort George. The roads programme then focused on expanding the network between Dunkeld and Inverness (later known as 'The Great North Road') with branches connecting Crieff to the Great North Road at Dalnacardoch (later known as 'The Second Great North Road') and Fort Augustus to the Great North Road at Dalwhinnie. The second major programme of works was overseen by Wade's successor, Major William Caulfeild, with branches constructed, from 1741 onwards, between: Crieff and Stirling, an incomplete build between Dumbarton and Inverary, Stirling to Fort William, Coupar Angus to Fort George, and Amulree to Dunkeld.

This bridge relates to the Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie section of road. It was likely constructed between 1725 and 1740. The bridge appears to have been altered with a widening of the entire structure, to the east, and the addition of parapets on both sides. It is likely to have fallen out of regular traffic use with the various upgrades and improvements to the A9 route and the construction of the first replacement bridge, to its south, in the late 1920s.