Laxford Bridge
Coordinates58°22′29″N 05°01′01″W / 58.37472°N 5.01694°W / 58.37472; -5.01694
CarriesA838 road
CrossesRiver Laxford
Heritage statusCategory B listed
Characteristics
MaterialStone rubble
History
Construction endc.1834
Location
Map

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.[4]

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 97 kilometres (60 miles) were required (off-road) and the additional distance by road was 160 kilometres (100 miles).[5]

References

  1. ^ "Laxford Bridge". Canmore. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Otters surveyed ahead of Laxford Bridge works". Northern Times. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  3. ^ Taylor, Ashley (11 November 1955). "All purpose fleet meets Sutherland's needs". Commercial Motor Archive. pp. 144–145. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  4. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Laxford Bridge over River Laxford (Category B Listed Building) (LB446)". Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Army truck falls 30ft into river". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
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