Frew would believe history of river crossing
This photograph shows all that remains of the old Bridge of Frew which was built in 1779 by Patrick and William McInnes, from Crieff and Charles Stewart from Doune.
Their first attempt sank into its clay foundation and collapsed into the river and they were left £300 out of pocket – a lot of money then.
An altogether sturdier structure – a three-arch stone bridge – was completed in 1790. However, it fell into disrepair in the 20th century and was replaced by the current bridge, a modern three-span concrete structure carrying the B822 across the River Forth, two kilometres north-east of the village of Kippen.
It is on a pleasant circular drive or cycle from Stirling but make sure you stop at The Woodhouse cafe for one of their delicious scones.
The bridge replaced the ancient Ford of Frew which have been used to cross the Forth for over 3000 years and most famously by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 after Stirling Bridge’s inner arch had been destroyed by General Blakeney of Stirling Castle. This was an attempt to trap the Jacobites in Stirling between the castle and Cumberland’s
Army. This failed but the forces of the Duke of Cumberland finally caught up with the Jacobites at Culloden.
The Ford of Frew was also favoured by cattle drovers keen to avoid the fees for using Stirling Bridge – something the council was equally keen to stop.
The crossing was likely used by the Celts and the Romans with Coldoch broch on the north side built to control it.
The first time the ford is mentioned in history was in the late 900s when it stood on the frontier between Scotland (north of the Forth) and Strathclyde and Northumbria to the south.
Kenneth II (or Cináed mac MaílCholuim in Gaelic) had raided northern England and expected a retaliatory invasion so‘walled the banks of the Fords of Frew’.
It’s all quiet now though, but for the gentle ripple of the Forth on its eternal journey to the sea.