02 November 2024Silver Bridge
Eleven members of Dingwall Field Club met at the Silver Bridge car park for a circular walk along the Blackwater River. The bridge was built in the early 19th century as part of the ancient drove road used to bring cattle from the north and west to Muir of Ord or Crieff and Falkirk. The drovers rested near the older Wade’s bridge at Little Garve. Wade’s bridge was actually built by Wade’s successor, Major William Caulfield and restored in 2007. It was part of a military road built between Contin and Poolewe in 1769 to help government troops move around the Highlands after Culloden.
Leaving the car park, we crossed the Blackwater via Silver Bridge. On the other side of the river we negotiated some irregular stone steps and passed under the new road bridge. A good path runs near peaty pools and gushing rapids all the way to Wade’s Bridge from where we took a more hazardous path along the other bank. Rowan trees were bright with red berries and the dying bracken was golden. We enjoyed the continuous sound of the river although it drowns any bird song. We even found a few late blaeberries!
After crossing the Wade’s Bridge we stopped for lunch at a picnic table, enjoying the mild weather for half an hour before moving on. Here one has to take care not to trip on exposed roots. As the Silver Bridge came into view we were tired but exhilarated as we climbed the final rocky assent back up to the car park.
