Laxford Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Laxford Bridge
Carries:A838 road
Crosses:River Laxford
Material:Stone rubble
Complete:c.
Heritage:Category B listed
Coordinates:58.3747°N -5.0169°W

The Laxford Bridge is a stone arch bridge in Sutherland, Scotland which carries the A838 across the River Laxford north to Rhiconich and Durness.

The bridge was built about 1834 by the Dukes of Sutherland  - the road from Lairg, one of the "destitution roads" built during the potato famine, not being completed until 1851.[1] [2] [3] The bridge is a category B listed building.

An army transporter crashed on the bridge in 2009 causing so much damage that it had to be closed to traffic. Detours of at least 60miles were required (off-road) and the additional distance by road was 100miles.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laxford Bridge. Canmore. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. 2 February 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140220164421/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/4688/details/laxford%20bridge/. 20 February 2014. dmy-all.
  2. News: Otters surveyed ahead of Laxford Bridge works. 2 February 2014. Northern Times. 28 December 2012.
  3. Web site: Taylor. Ashley. All purpose fleet meets Sutherland's needs. Commercial Motor Archive. 2 February 2014. 144–145. 11 November 1955.
  4. News: Army truck falls 30ft into river. 2 February 2014. BBC News. 1 October 2009.