Inchnacardoch Bridge: Archaeological Survey

An archaeological laser scan survey of a bridge, part of the 18th Century Military Road network within the Inchnacardoch Forest was carried out by AOC Archaeology on Behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland. The survey was undertaken using a Trimble TX5 laser scanner, and a detailed descriptive report and photographic record compiled. The surveyed bridge lies 2km to the northwest of Fort Augustus at a height of 214m OD, carrying the military road over an un-named burn flowing down the SE shoulder of Carn Dubh into the River Oich. This bridge is one of many bridges on the Fort Augustus to Bernera route. The bridge comprises a low single span arch springing from stone built piers up to three courses in height, the northern, upstream side of the bridge the burn is canalised. The bridge is constructed of locally sourced stone; a metamorphic Psammite (BGS 2018). No parapet walls now exist and the bridge appears to be of drystone construction, although this may be due to the washing out of all the lime mortar. The south face of the bridge measures 2.53m between the abutments and 1.10m between the apex of the arch and the base of the watercourse, with the arch rising 0.41m above the top of the side walls. The north face measures 2.51m between the abutments and 1.14 between the apex of the arch and the base of the watercourse, with the arch rising 0.49m above the top of the side walls. The bridge is 4.45m wide between the north and south faces. The canalised upstream burn extends for 16.56m to the west of the bridge. The Military Road over the bridge survives as a grassed over boggy path leading east-west through the forestry plantation with little to be seen of the road surface.