Philorth Bridges

Three bridges cross the Water of Philorth near Cairnbulg Castle. The earliest known was a wooden structure first recorded in 1720. The stone bridge on the left in the picture replaced it in 1723 - though much altered by the addition of a parapet and widening on the South side this is one of the oldest bridges in Aberdeenshire. It appears on Roy's map of 1750. The unfortunate harling on the North side was added in the 20th century - on the South side the dressed granite is easier to see but alas, is currently defaced by graffiti.

In the late 20th century the road was realigned and the old bridge was replaced by the metal bridge seen on the right in the photograph.

The extra shows the granite piers which are the remains of the third bridge which from 1906 to 1965 carried the light railway from Fraserburgh to St Combs over the Water of Philorth.