Bonar Bridge

Scotland > Highland Counties > Sutherland > Bonar Bridge

Until only a few years ago when the Dornoch Bridge was opened, Bonar Bridge used to be on the main A9 trunk road from Inverness to Wick. However, the Dornoch Firth was "bridged" further east towards Tain and Bonar Bridge was by-passed. The road through this village is now the A836 with the small bridge over the lower River Shin being the boundary between Ross and Cromarty to the south and Sutherland to the north.

This bridge, or at least the previous one that stood here, was built in 1809 after a ferry disaster at the old ferry crossing between Meikle Ferry near Tain and Ferrypoint across the Firth. 99 lives were lost at sea and the argument for the "Bonar Bridge" was easily made.

Ancient remains can be found on the point 4 miles SE of the village at Dun Creich and more are to be found in the hills around Migdale.

Towards Invershin up the A836 lies the outstanding Carbisdale Castle which is run by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association - probably their finest! Access to Bonar Bridge and Carbisdale is made more simple by the main Inverness to Wick Railway which travels through both nearby Ardgay, Invershin and Lairg, 11 miles north.

The River Shin is a renowned salmon river and permits are available at many hotels in the area. The entrance to Strath Carron and the road to Croick Church can be found at Ardgay 1 mile south down the A836.