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A stone arch bridge frames a misty autumn woodland beyond a rushing river in Ross and Cromarty.
Easter Ross

Little Garve Bridge

A high-arched stone bridge of around 1762 over the Black Water near Garve, built for the military road to the west coast and known, wrongly, as Wade's Bridge.

Welcome

Just off the road north of Garve, hidden among pines and birches, a tall humpbacked bridge of rough stone leaps the Black Water in one great arch, with a smaller arch at its western end, with the river racing through the rocks below.

It was built around 1762 to carry a military road from Contin to Poolewe on the west coast.

Everyone calls it Wade's Bridge, after the general famous for his Highland roads, but it was actually the work of his successor, Major William Caulfeild. Long since bypassed by the modern road, it is now a scheduled monument, repaired and cared for.

A riverside circuit links it with the old Silverbridge upstream, through woodland beside the rapids. Drovers once brought their cattle over Silverbridge on the way south to market. Look into the pools below the arch for brown trout, and come in autumn, when the birches turn gold.

Before you go

The bridge and the riverside walk are open at all times and free, with Forestry and Land Scotland parking at Little Garve.

Where
Little Garve, off the A835 near Garve.
Built
About 1762, by Major Caulfeild.
Walk
The riverside circuit to Silverbridge.

Did you know

A single-arch stone bridge spans a rushing river between autumn-gold trees in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

Not Wade's.

Known as Wade's Bridge, it was built by his successor, Major William Caulfeild.

White water rushes over rocks beneath autumn-gold trees on a wooded river in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

To the west coast.

The bridge carried the military road from Contin to Poolewe.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Ross and Cromarty

Just off the road north of Garve, among pines and birches, a tall humpbacked bridge leaps the Black Water in one great stone arch, with a smaller arch at its western end. It was built around 1762 for the military road from Contin to Poolewe. Everyone calls it Wade's Bridge, but it was probably the work of his successor, Major William Caulfeild. Long bypassed by the modern road, it is now a scheduled monument. A riverside circuit of about an hour links it with the old Silverbridge upstream, past rapids and pools. Look for brown trout under the arch and dippers bobbing on the rocks.

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Where it is

At Little Garve, just off the A835 north of Garve, with parking by the river.

Close byGarve.
  1. Black Water FallsBlack Water FallsRapids at Silverbridge, the other end of the walk.4 miles6 min by road
  2. Falls of RogieFalls of RogieSalmon leaping further down the river.6 miles9 min by road
  3. Stone-slab steps climb a grassy hillside path past a lichen-covered boulderBen Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor7 miles20 min by road
  4. Black Muir Woods and the Touchstone MazeBlack Muir Woods and the Touchstone MazeA labyrinth of stones above Strathpeffer.11 miles20 min by road
  5. The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery, Muir of OrdThe Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery, Muir of OrdThe Singleton's distillery at Muir of Ord, west of Inverness, open all year for guided tours, tastings, and a bar and deli.14 miles23 min by road
  6. Bad Girl BakeryBad Girl Bakery15 miles24 min by road
Directions

Nothing of ours in this part of the map.

Stay nearby

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

Log cabin porch with lantern-lit door, snow falling on the wooden walkwayEagle Brae
  • To stay
  • In Struy
  • 16 miles from Little Garve
Check datesFrom above, Aquila's turf-roofed log cabin and wrap-around deck on the edge of the ridge, the glen stretching away in autumn colour.Aquila at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 16 miles from Little Garve
Check datesButeo, a long turf-roofed log cabin on level ground, a log picnic table in the grass before it and the hill behind.Buteo at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 16 miles from Little Garve
Check datesLoxia beyond its pond among spring birches, the cabin mirrored in the water under a blue sky.Loxia at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 16 miles from Little Garve
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Easter RossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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