Carrbridge – The 1717 Packhorse Bridge and a Pint at the Cairn
A few hours.
The route
Carrbridge's old packhorse bridge has arched over the River Dulnain since 1717, a thin curve of stone built so that coffins could be carried across when the river was in spate.
A short evening stroll down to it ends at the Cairn Hotel on the main road, the busy heart of the village, with Highland cask ales, a long shelf of malts and good food from the kitchen.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Park Cottage in Kincraig, 10 miles away. Sleeps 6; next free Fri 23 Oct to Sun 25 Oct.
The day
Carrbridge
An old stone bridge over a dark Highland river, and a pint among locals in the village pub.
About two hoursAbout 0.5 miles on foot
The Old Packhorse Bridge
An attraction
Park in the free village car park in the middle of Carrbridge, which has public toilets. The old bridge is a few minutes' walk away on the River Dulnain, beside the road bridge. It was built in 1717 so that people could carry coffins across the water when the river was in spate, and it's a thin, high, graceful arch. Look at it from the road bridge or from the riverbank: the arch itself is not for crossing, and the river runs fast and peaty-dark below. After rain, with the Dulnain in spate, it's quite a sight. Keep children back from the water's edge.
About 4 min on foot
The Cairn Hotel
A drink
The Cairn Hotel is on Main Road, between the bridge and the car park, and its bar is the hub of the village. It stocks around 70 malt whiskies, 40 Scottish gins and cask ales from the Highlands and Islands. The bar opens from noon until midnight, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Food is served Monday to Saturday from noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm, and on Sundays from 12.30pm to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm, cooked to order from Highland produce on menus that change with the seasons. There's no need to book a table: just turn up, and at busy times have a drink at the bar while you wait. It's at its best on a long summer evening, when it's light until after ten, or on a dark winter night after a day on the hill.
If it rains
In the rain the Dulnain runs high under the bridge, which is worth a quick look from the road bridge before going into the Cairn.
Where to stay
Make it a weekend
