The Bridge House is an elaborate baronial covered bridge with a gatehouse above, designed by Patrick Allan Fraser in 1871.

Fraser, an artistic visionary and advocate of the arts and crafts movement, purchase Blackcraig Estate in 1847 before setting about it’s transformation. Initially he focused on the Castle and surrounds before later turning his attention to The Bridge House.

Rumour has it, more money was spent on its construction than the whole of the rest of the estate put together.

Once completed, he must have exceedingly proud looking up at his creation, seeing his fairy-tale dreams a reality!

But the building wasn't just fantasy, it had purpose too.

Obviously it’s a bridge, but there’s a security aspect with two huge wooden doors at road level. The house on top served as the gate-keepers accommodation, with access to the doors below via spiral stairways on both sides. There were mod cons too, a privy incorporated into the stonework that’s directly above the river below!

On the western side of the building are stables with four stalls and stable-boy accommodation above. At river level, there’s evidence of iron rods and gears that somehow must have harnessed the rivers power.

In 1971 the building was given a Category A listing by Historic Scotland, who described it as 'a picturesque fantasy of outstanding interest'.

MORE RECENTLY.

By the turn of this century, the building was a little worse for wear, with bricked up windows and collapsing roofs.

In 2010, sympathetic renovations have revitalised it into two holiday lets. The buildings are now warm and weatherproof.

But there’s still a lot to do. Water penetration though the stone work must be addressed - in particular the through the upper walkways, the coping stones, the cobbles on the road and the walls.

Future works are planned as and when feasible. Your stay in the bridge house really makes a difference!