The Eriboll to Strath More Road, now just a good track used mostly by keepers and hillwalkers, was busier before Hope Bridge was built on the North Coast Road (now the A838) north of Loch Hope. It went from Eriboll Farm
NC432563 to the Loch Hope Road at
NC459492 near Cashel Dhu.
That bridge was built shortly before 1922. Prior to that, there was a ferry there, and also one at Cashel Dhu across the Strathmore River. As the latter could sometimes be forded, the road was used more often. There is a steep, zig-zag section about a kilometre south of Eriboll leading to the 230m high point near Creag an t-Silidh: this section was partially tarmaced, though little trace remains.
After Hope Bridge was opened, this road was quietly dropped from the county roads, and remains an example of an early 20th century Highland road complete with ford and variable surface quality. The road is worth a visit for the scenery, especially the views of Loch and Ben Hope.
By David Purchase, with acknowledgements to Richard Webb
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