Visit the old packhorse bridge Carrbridge, Scotland, and you’ll be amazed that this bridge actually used to be used in real life! This feat of architecture was originally built in 1717. Also known as “Coffin Bridge”, its purpose was to allow funeral processions to cross the River Dulnain to reach the local kirk (church). The Old Packhorse Bridge has now become one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Cairngorms National Park.
The bridge did used to have parapets (low walls) on either side, but these were washed away by floods in 1839. The remaining structure would be pretty scary to cross! The bridge is no longer in use but there is a viewing platform so you can get up close.
How to get there
Carrbridge is located in the Cairngorms National Park, in Scotland’s North East. The closest airports are Inverness (35 minute drive) and Aberdeen (2 hour drive). There is also a train between Edinburgh and Inverness that stops in Carrbridge itself. The train is one of my favourite ways to travel around Scotland! Further information can be found on the ScotRail website.
What else is in the area?
The Cairngorms National Park is a beautiful area to explore. The mountains are full of hiking trails and forest paths. Popular starting off points include Aviemore and Kingussie. It’s also very popular for mountain biking and cycling. There are some stunning lochs to see such as Loch Morlich and Loch an Eilein, where you can see a 13th century castle on an island.
Hopefully this post will have inspired you to visit the old packhorse bridge Carrbridge, in the beautiful Cairngorms national park in Scotland.
Explore more of the area by doing a road trip around Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Read my other Scotland posts here.
See the Visit Cairngorms website here.
It looks so beautiful there, like a fairy tale. Thank you for sharing