Whitebridge, Scotland facts for kids
Whitebridge (called An Drochaid Bhàn in Scottish Gaelic) is a small village located on the southwest side of Loch Ness in northern Scotland.
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Where is Whitebridge Located?
Whitebridge is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Inverness and 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Fort Augustus. It's a small place, with fewer than 100 people living across an area of about 5 miles (8 kilometers). A lake called Loch Killin is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) southeast of the village. The nearby village of Gorthleck is to the north-east. The highest hill in the area is Beinn Sgurrach, which is 470 meters (1,542 feet) tall and sits on the edge of the village.
The Story of Whitebridge
How Whitebridge Got Its Name
The village gets its name from an old bridge over the River Fechlin. This bridge is known as the Whitebridge because its stone looks white. It was built in 1732 under the direction of General Wade. This was part of a bigger plan to build military roads in the area. These roads were meant to help stop future Jacobite uprisings, which were rebellions against the British government.
The local building of the bridge was probably overseen by William Caulfield, who worked for General Wade. Today, this old military road is known as the B862 and is the main road through Whitebridge. A new concrete road bridge was added next to the old one in the 1930s. The old bridge is still open for people to walk across.
Old Settlements and Buildings
Duntirhal is an old ruined settlement found near Whitebridge, in a sheep field close to Beinn Sgurrach. Long ago, this settlement had up to 24 rectangular buildings and 5 fenced areas, plus kilns for drying corn. Now, only a few parts of the foundations can still be seen. Another abandoned village, also part of the Highland Clearances (when many people were forced to leave their homes), is located west of Whitebridge at Easter Drummond.
The Whitebridge Hotel and Inn is a well-known building in the village. It's thought to have started as a coaching inn, a place where travelers could rest and change horses. It was built on the site of a military camp used by the people who built the military road. The current hotel building was constructed in 1899.
Life and Work in Whitebridge
The main ways people make a living in Whitebridge are through farming, tourism, and forestry. Many people who live there permanently are farmers or gamekeepers. Others travel to work in other parts of Inverness-shire. Besides the Whitebridge Hotel, there is also a small holiday park in the village with lodges built in the Highland style.
Most children from Whitebridge go to Stratherrick Primary School in the nearby village of Gorthleck. The yearly Loch Ness Marathon race also starts close to Whitebridge.
Famous People from Whitebridge
The village was home to the Scottish poet Ian Abbot (1947–1989) during the later part of his life. He won awards for his poetry and wrote a collection called Avoiding the Gods. Sadly, Abbot died in a car accident in the village.
