Upper Gylen vernacular bridge

3D Model

Alongside the popular walking route from the Calmac ferry landing stage to Gylen Castle at the south end of the island (and the even more popular tea rooms!) there is a small ruined cottage to the east of the track on a low knoll. It is well worth pausing your progress before heading to the crest of the final hill before the trail runs dowwnhill to the castle and tearooms.

The cottage is the best preserved ruin of a small farming township which occupied this area and is thought to be post mediaeval, but behind it, to the south-east, there is a small stone-slab bridge which has been placed over a tiny stream, apparently just as an embellishment or perhaps a child’s plaything, as the stream is less than half a metre wide and easily stepped across by most people. Its simplicity, two rough slate or shale slabs placed across the reinforced banks, makes it impossible to date with any certainty.