I think, this is a place a cache has to be, as it is one of the most visited bridges in the area. Visitors from all over the world stop here to take pictures or walk over the bridge. It is a really scenic spot all year round. My favourite season is fall, when the autumn colours are stunning in the background.Sadly this cache disappear so often, sometimes it has been gone a day after I placed it. So I decided to have some alternatives: The original cache is not ON the bridge, but below. Easy to reach from the parking place. NO NEED to go cross country or climb the steep areas. You take some time and stroll around the lower level and you will find the cache without a problem! In case the cache has gone again when you arrive and you are still in the caching mood: cross the old bridge, have your eyes left - there is a traffic sign near the corner, left of the sign is a step in the stonewall - go towards that step und you will see there is an evergreen - look there behind two rocks, there is an additional container, white - round ..... got it? You are more than welcome to take a picture from the bridge - I will accept that as proof you have been there as well. Reason for Geocaching is to bring attention to great spots as well - so enjoy!!!
Here some historical information about:
Craigellachie Bridge over the River Spey was built by Thomas Telford in 1814. A plaque on one of the castellated towers guarding the entrance to the bridge records that the metalwork was cast in Wales: another that the bridge was restored to this, something like its original condition, in 1964.
The bridge is a remarkable piece of engineering and is the oldest surviving iron bridge in Scotland. It cost £8,200 to build, outspending its original estimate by £200. The slim arch spans 150ft between stone abutments. It is constructed from four, cast iron ribs, 15ft apart, with cast iron spandrels bolted in a diamond lattice below an iron railing. Four 50ft tall, hollow, castellated stone towers top the abutments, providing heavy contrast to the delicacy of the ironwork.
The abutments carry the span at 12ft above normal water level. The original plan was for a lower bridge, but he took advice from local people and raised it by several feet to allow for flooding (a wise decision). It was the only bridge on the Spey to survive the great floods of 1829, when the Spey rose by 15.5ft.
Craigellachie Bridge was bypassed in 1972.
The Craigellachie Bridge is owned by the Moray Council. The Friends of Craigellachie Bridge formed in 2015 to celebrate the Craigellachie Bridge’s bi-centenary.
In 2015 this iconic Scottish bridge was celebrated in a new set of Royal Mail stamps.
Andrew Hammond, head of stamps and collectibles at Royal Mail, said of the 10 selections: "The story of Britain's engineering genius can be found in its bridges."