The western end of the Glen Affric road will be closed to all cars, bikes and pedestrians for the next couple of weeks. Anyone heading to the upper glen or hills such as Carn Eige, Mam Sodhail and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan should make alternative access arrangements.
© Dan Bailey
The closure, which lasts from today until about March 30, is to allow building work to be carried out on the Chisolm bridge (NH215242) and at the River Affric car park (NH200234).
'We have been advised by the building contractors that the bridge will need to be closed to vehicles while they are working on it to allow the surfacing to set and to ensure safety' Alastair Smyth of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) tells us. 'The bridge is going to be striped right back and then the surfacing will be built back up. It is unlikely that people will be able to walk or cycle on the bridge while the work is ongoing as it will be a work site.'
'As this work is on the route to the River Affric car park, [this] will [also] be closed to public vehicles. We are taking advantage of this and trying to co-ordinate other work in the car park, an extension and essential works for the water treatment from the toilets.'
'We understand that this is not ideal but the repairs to the bridge have to happen or we risk losing it' says Alastair Smyth. And hopefully the improvements to the car park will help enhance the visitor experience.'
The Chisholm bridge is closed from today until March 30 at the latest, but it is hoped it will be open before this date, say FCS.
In the meantime walkers should use alternative access points to the upper glen, they say, such as the Cluanie Inn in Glen Shiel, or in the east, Cougie Lodge (NH240209).
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