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The bridge and Clachan Sound from above.
Argyll and Bute

Bridge over the Atlantic

The single stone arch of 1792 that carries the road to Seil over a strait of the Atlantic, south of Oban.

Welcome

The Clachan Bridge carries the road from the mainland over Clachan Sound to the island of Seil, south of Oban, and because the narrow strait beneath it runs out to the Atlantic by the Firth of Lorn, it has long been called the Bridge over the Atlantic.

It is a single high hump of rough stone, its arch wide and tall enough for small boats to pass under, with a little recess on either side.

It was built in 1791 and 1792 for the Earl of Breadalbane, whose estate took in Seil, to a plan by an Oban contractor, John Stevenson; the architect Robert Mylne did away with a second arch and added the recesses. Stevenson underestimated the cost and lost money on it. The slate quarries of Seil and Easdale made the crossing worth building. Beside the bridge stands the inn Tigh an Truish, the house of the trousers, where, the story goes, islanders swapped their kilts for trousers after kilts were banned following 1745.

A little further outThe Barn at CologinA bar and restaurant in a converted cattle byre at Cologin in Lerags Glen, south of Oban, cooking local, seasonal food by a warm fire.17 min by roadSee itThe Barn at Cologin
Before you go

The bridge is on the B844 to Seil, south of Oban, and can be seen at any time; there is roadside parking by the inn.

Where
B844, Clachan Seil, PA34 4TJ.
When
Any time.
Where it is

Clachan Sound, Seil, south of Oban.

Close byOn Seil.
  1. Clachan BridgeClachan BridgeUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Tigh an Truish, SeilTigh an Truish, SeilUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Ellenabeich's white cottages under the cliff, reflected in still water.Isle of SeilThe island you can drive to, over the Bridge over the Atlantic, with the slate village of Ellenabeich at the end of the road.4 miles8 min by road
  4. Lerags CrossLerags CrossA West Highland cross of 1516 in Lerags Glen, broken at the Reformation and set up again in 1926.11 miles15 min by road
  5. Historic KilbrideHistoric KilbrideThe ruined church of St Bride in Lerags Glen south of Oban, where the chiefs of Clan MacDougall are buried.11 miles15 min by road
Directions
Kerrera's green shore and small islands from above.AttractionsIsle of Kerrera4.6 miles over the water
Kerrera Tea Garden, Argyll and ButeCafeKerrera Tea Garden4.8 miles over the water
An old wooden boat wreck on the Kerrera shore.AttractionsDail Righ5.1 miles over the water
A path between azaleas and rhododendrons in flower.AttractionsArduaine Garden5.8 miles over the water
The Barn Bar, Argyll and ButeRestaurantsThe Barn at Cologin11 miles
Alba the Artshop, Argyll and ButeShoppingAlba the Artshop, Oban12 miles
George Street Fish Restaurant & Chip Shop, Argyll and ButeRestaurantsGeorge Street Fish, Oban12 miles
The CalMac terminal on Oban's waterfront.AttractionsOban to Lismore Ferry12 miles
Whole lobsters on ice beside a chalkboard sign reading "lobsterRestaurantsOban Seafood Hut12 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bridge, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of the whitewashed cottage in low evening sun, its blue doors, lit lamps and teak chairs, smoke rising from the chimney.Fern Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Croggan
  • 7 miles from the Clachan Bridge
Check datesThe Drury from the lawn below: a grey granite Victorian villa with sandstone bay windows, dormers in the slate roof and tall chimneys.The Drury
  • Sleeps 22
  • In Oban
  • 8 miles from the Clachan Bridge
Free 18–20 OctGlencruitten House, Argyll and ButeGlencruitten House
  • To stay
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 9 miles from the Clachan Bridge
Check datesTimber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesUisge Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 10 miles from the Clachan Bridge
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go.