This is an extract from an article written by Fiona Campbell Byatt, FSA Scot. (published in Kist, 2004). It refers to the two bridges (one dating from 1818 and the other 2002) over the Leargie River below Corrarie Cottage.
The Story of the Bridges on the Water of Leargnahension in Knapdale, 1765-2004
Abhuinn nam hension, the ‘River of the Ash Tree’ or the Water of Leargnahension, is a river that runs from Loch à Bhaillidh through the hills down into Loch Stornaway. For most of the year the river runs fairly slowly, but when it is in spate people living in this area must have found it a barrier to attending the fairs held from earliest times in Tarbert. Up to the 15th century the main mode of transport, except when droving cattle, would have been by boat. The indented coastline of Knapdale ensured the possibility of a safe anchorage in a storm and, owing to the type of small vessel used, boats could be beached on most stretches of the shoreline.
Tarbert (created a Royal burgh by Robert the Bruce) has always been the main market for Knapdale and the first reference to a ‘road’ being built in this area appears in the Accounts kept by the Constable of Tarbert in 1326.
– ‘John de Lany, Constable of Tarbert, from 18th April 1325 to 20th July 1326 – to William Scot in settlement with him of part payment of 20 merks (£13·3·4) agreed by the King for a New Road from one Tarbert to the Other — £8 Scots.’
– ‘To ½ chalder meal, bought and issued at the King’s precept to the said W. Scot for making said Road. 0·16·0 Scots.’
Later, the Royal Charter of 1481 gives a list of the place-names in this area:
‘Glannafeoch, Largbanan, Barnellane, Kowildrinoch, Glannafeoch, Ardpatrick, Ardmenys, Largnahowschine, Crevyr et Drumnamwkloch.’
Tracks and paths between the various houses and farms must have always existed, but roads were more or less non-existent. After the Jacobite risings in 1715 and 1745 things began slowly to change and a programme of road building was started by the local landowners encouraged by the Hanoverian government. The Commissioners of Supply, as they were called, held meetings, usually in May, and the minutes of these meetings make fascinating reading. Pont’s Map of c.1590, copied and published by Blaeu in 1654, shows settlements and farms in this area and we can recognise many of the place-names, although not the topography.
In William Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55), the road from Kilberry and on towards Tarbert shows no apparent bridge across the river at Leargnahension Changehouse or Inn and seems to cross by a ford and then run down towards the shore at Loch Stornaway and on towards the farm on Ardminish.
The Kilberry rent roll tells us that the Changehouse and the farm on Ardminish were both rented to Duncan Campbell in 1750 and there is a letter from him to Lady Kilberry dated 12th December 1750 setting out an account for butter and cheese, and another item which perhaps can be guessed at!
‘From Duncan Campbell Merchant at Ardmenish
12th Decbr 1750
Madam,
Lady Kilberry dr.
To 3 Stone Butter 6/8 — 12·00
To 5 Stone Cheese ¾ — 10·00
There is no botles (sic) in Ardpatrick to spare.
My friend has 2 do-zn to ye. Ye may send for them. They have run out of Botles at Dunmor.’
This could refer to French wine, smuggled in casks and decanted aboard ship into the customer’s own bottles to decrease the risk of discovery by the excisemen.
In 1762 we find an entry in the Minutes of the Commissioners of Supply suggesting that the line of the road between Leargnahension and Ardpatrick is to be altered to a higher crossing of the river and to go inland of Ardminish hill. But a track must still have led to the farm on Ardminish which continued to be lived in and worked for many years.
‘3rd May 1762
Campbell of Knockbuy (Kilberry) to point out the proper line for carrying the High Road from Leargnahension to Ardpatrick.’
Then in 1763, the next entry reads:
‘4th May 1763
Petition for a bridge across the waters of Avenagillan on the West side of Loch Tarbert and Leargnahension in Kelislate which the inhabitants of Kelislate, south of Druimnamuchlack use when going to Market.’
The exact whereabouts of Kelislate is not clear.
Subscriptions were collected to put up new wooden bridges, but already by 28th March 1815, we learn that Captain Campbell has been asked to get estimates to build what we assume to be the present stone bridge at Leargnahension. In June 1815 the sum of £150 was voted to cover the cost of two bridges, Crear and Leargnahension. The subscriptions of the ‘gentlemen and others, inhabitants of Kelislate’, amounted to £64-11 s. There is a list of those who contributed, including George Dow the exciseman.
By April 1818 we finally come to the actual construction of the present stone bridge when we are told:
‘Mr Campbell of Drumnamuchlach gave in a report dated 27th March 1818 of the building and finishing last summer of a bridge of two arches across the water of Leargnahension. The cost in the region of £60 is approved.’
We have no information about the craftsmen who built it or whether they used local stone. We do know that the bridge must have been of use to Captain Campbell of Drumnamuchlach when he built Carse House between 1824 and 1827 as he must have ridden between the two places.
In 1897, the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, this stone bridge was widened but no further information can be found. The old bridge was finally by-passed in 2002 and the line of the road straightened.
The new stone bridge has been well designed to fit into the surrounding area. It is built with a single arch and is a worthy successor. Meanwhile, the old bridge, which has been re-pointed and the Victorian extension removed, will stand for many years to come.
Corrarie Cottage 