Craigellachie Bridge

Backblip

Still too cold for that walk, so it was back in the car for a drive around this beautiful area.  We prefer to drive the "B" roads, as they are quieter and the scenery is often outstanding, but sometimes you have to go on the main roads to get to them, which is how we discovered this wonderful bridge near Aberlour.

It was designed by Thomas Telford and built from 1812-1814, although it has been considerably altered and widened since then.  It was in use for foot and vehicle traffic until 1972, when it was replaced by a more modern bridge a little distance down the River Spey. 

We walked across it and admired the mock-medieval towers at either end, which feature arrow slits and crenellated battlements.  There's a pretty park which leads down to the sandy banks of the Spey and which was full of daffodils, wood anemone and other spring flowers.

Later, we visited another castle - Brodie Castle, which had been in the same family in one form or another since around 1160 until it was bequeathed to the National Trust for Scotland in 2003.  That's some heritage! It also has a magnificent daffodil collection, many of which were in bloom for our visit, so difficult choices for a blip today:-)