Monument record MHG45664 - Polnish Bridge

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Fri 10 Mar 2000
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NM78SW 18 7424 8360

NM 752 828 to NM 729 841 During December 1995 and September 1996, a programme of evaluation and excavation was carried out in advance of the proposed widening and realignment of the A830 between Polnish Chapel and the Loch Nan Uamh viaduct.
The characteristic steep slopes and rocky terrain meant that the potential for site identification was limited. However, several features were identified during the evaluation, in two cases confirming identifications made during the desk-based study.
Sixteen trenches were excavated, all located at the W end of the road corridor in an area comprising arable flood plain (NM 7317 8410). The only feature located within the trial trenches was a large scooped feature, possibly an old stream course.
The following site was located and recorded by fieldwalking and palaeoenvironmental assessment elsewhere within the road corridor:
6 NM 7424 8360 Bridge and road.
The road bridge (site 6) lay 110m directly SE of Polnish House and comprised part of the pre-1938 road to Mallaig. Limited excavation revealed that the bridge measures c 33 x 5.1m by 1.2m high. The bridge was constructed from large, roughly dressed and unmortared stones of varying size incorporating a small culvert. The tarmac surface of the road survives in places.
A Data Structure Report has been produced for the evaluation phase of the work, and a Data Structure Report for the excavations is in preparation.
Sponsor: The National Roads Directorate of The Scottish Office Development Department, managed on their behalf by Historic Scotland
A Rees 1996 <1>

The data structure report for excavations was requested and received from CFA Archaeology. The report on evaluation across this area could not be located at this time. Polnish Bridge lay on the line of the pre-1938 Fort William to Mallaig road, which lies 15m to the east of the current line. The bridge lies 50m to the east of the present Polnish House, formerly the Polnish school. The bridge was heavily obscured by vegetation within an area which is marshy and boggy. Vegetation was cleared from the bridge and three sections were excavated in order to evaluate the construction methods used in its construction. The bridge measured 33m in length, by 5.1m wide, by 1.2m in height. The bridge was constructed from large, roughly dressed and unmortared stones of varying size, incorporating a small culvert 0.6m by 0.5m. The tarmac surface of the road survives in places 0.03m to 0.05m thick and was underlain by a grey, sandy core overlying a dumped rubble core. At each side of the road section of the bridge, there was evidence
of low turf banks revetting the sandy core of the road. On each side of the bridge there was material very similar to the sandy core banked against it, presumably to guard against floodwater and to act as a stabilising measure. <2>