Carrbridge

Carrbridge (Scots: Carrbrig,[1]Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid Chàrr)[2] is a village in Badenoch and Strathspey in the Scottish Highlands. It lies off the A9 on the A938, west of Skye of Curr and southeast of Tomatin, near Bogroy.[3] It has the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands and the nearby ancient pine forest contains the Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

Carrbridge Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid Chàrr Scots: Carrbrig
Carrbridge Location within the Badenoch and Strathspey area
Population	708
OS grid reference	NH905225
• Edinburgh	95 mi (153 km)
• London	425 mi (684 km)
Council area	Highland
Lieutenancy area	Inverness
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CARRBRIDGE
Postcode district	PH23
Dialling code	01479
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
Scottish Parliament	Inverness and Nairn
List of places UK Scotland 57.282°N 3.816°W / 57.282; -3.816

. . . Carrbridge . . .

Carrbridge is about 10 km (6 mi) north of Aviemore and forms a gateway to the Cairngorms National Park. It was an early centre for skiing in Scotland.[4] In the 2001 census the village had a population of 708 people, with the majority employed in tourism.

Until the construction of a bypass in the 1980s, the A9 ran straight through the village. Carrbridge is served by Carrbridge railway station on the Highland Main Line.

Local debate still rages regarding the name Carrbridge itself, with some preferring to see it hyphenated to Carr-bridge. The word “Carr” has nothing to do with motorised transport but is derived from the Old Norse word for boggy area.

Carrbridge’s most famous landmark is the old packhorse bridge, from which the village is named. The bridge, built in 1717,[5] is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands.[6] It was severely damaged in the “muckle spate” of 1829 which left it in the condition seen today. In 1847 someone wrote to the Inverness Courier giving it as an example of one of the “all but deserted [bridges of which] the most useful and picturesque ought to be preserved”.[7] It is now unstable and is recommended only to be viewed from afar. Jumping off the bridge into the River Dulnain below had long been a popular pastime for younger locals and the more adventurous tourists.

Landmark Forest Adventure Park is set in an ancient pine forest at the south end of the village.[8] It has a variety of attractions, including a wild water coaster, steam powered saw mill and the UK’s first nature trail, Treetop Trail.[6]

There has been a Boys’ Brigade campsite in the village for many years.

Duthil Old Parish Church and Churchyard, located nearby, includes many graves and memorials of Clan Grant.

The village plays host to two popular annual competitions: The Golden SpurtleWorld Porridge Making Championship[9] and the “Carve Carrbridge” Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition.[10] Both contests offer keen but friendly competition, drawing entrants and spectators from all over the world.

Throughout the year, many events are held by Carrbridge Community Arts, a dynamic and innovative local community group, which include Music, Art, Theatre, Celebrations and Festivals.[11]

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