Site Event/Activity record EHG3685 - Standing building assessment - Allt Lagain Bhain Bridges, Glenmoriston

An archive assessment and bridge assessment survey was undertaken during October 2012 by CFA Archaeology on the Allt Lagain Bhain Bridge on the A887 near Dundreggan, Glenmoriston, in advance of demolition in order to install a box culvert. The work was commissioned by Transerv Scotland. The site comprised two bridges: a road bridge currently in use on the A887 and an older, disused bridge which lies immediately to its north. The main Allt Lagain Bhain Bridge has a history of frequent accident damage to the parapet, and has been propped since 2001. The older bridge is in overall poor condition. The proposed culvert works will involve the demolition of both bridges. The aims of the project were to review and assess the history of the A887 through examination of relevant cartographic sources with an assessment of the importance of the bridges in relation to date, construction, fabric detail and uniqueness of their survival and engineering association. A site visit was conducted to assess the bridges and undertake a photographic survey and produce annotated measured sketches. The surveys concluded that the older bridge probably dated to 1809-11 and was built under the instruction of Thomas Telford during his construction of the original road that later became the A887. The current road bridge was undated but was probably late C19 or early C20. <1>