Highbridge, Scotland facts for kids
Highbridge is an old bridge found in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. It sits on the River Spean, about 2 kilometers (a little over a mile) from the village of Spean Bridge. In fact, the village itself is named after this very bridge!
Contents
The Story of Highbridge
Building a Military Road
Highbridge was first built way back in 1736. A man named General Wade was in charge of building roads for the army across Scotland. This bridge was an important part of his military road. It helped soldiers travel between Inverness and Fort William. Building it cost about £1,087, which was a lot of money back then!
A New Bridge Takes Over
Later, in 1819, a different bridge was built nearby. This new bridge was designed by a famous engineer named Thomas Telford. It was built further up the river. Because of this, Highbridge was no longer the main crossing.
What Remains Today
Highbridge was last fixed in 1893. Sadly, parts of it fell down in 1913. Now, only the stone supports, called piers, are left standing. These old ruins are very important. They are protected as a special historic site in Scotland.
The Highbridge Skirmish
A Clever Trick in 1745
Highbridge was the location of the very first fight of the Jacobite rising of 1745. This was a time when people called Jacobites wanted to put a different king on the throne. This small battle is known as the Highbridge Skirmish.
A small group of fighters from the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch were at the bridge. They were very clever! They made a company of government soldiers think that the bridge was heavily guarded. The soldiers were led by Captain Scott.
The Retreat and Surrender
Believing there were many more fighters, the government troops decided to retreat. The MacDonalds then chased them all the way to Loch Oich. There, the government soldiers had to give up. This clever trick marked the start of a big historical event!
