Walking to the Bridge of Alvah
As a child, the task of walking to the 18th century Bridge of Alvah, near Banff in Aberdeenshire, was presented as something akin to travelling to Mordor: a journey of such length and difficulty as to render it impossible to your average mortal.
The walk from Duff House (a place with easy parking, swings, art gallery, tearoom and gift shop) to Alvah is actually comprised of just over two miles of well maintained track.
The other fact about Alvah recalled from childhood is that it is a place of great natural beauty. That is true.
The bridge stands huge and majestic – it is a bit ‘Lord of the Rings’ after all – over a deep gorge and the River Deveron.
A Mystery Window
I was most intrigued by the Gothic window and the many little hooks, just about discernible below.
The Naughty Earl
Googling revealed that there was a room for a toll collector within the bridge. This explains the window, though how a person got in there is not so clear. Either the door has been sealed or there was something Rapunzel-like going on. Local legend has it that the room was used by a (married) Earl to entertain young ladies, so perhaps it was kept semi-secret. The Earl’s wife reportedly shot him.
The hooks remain a mystery.
In summary: go visit the Bridge of Alvah; it’s well worth the two mile trek. Not an orc in sight!
See the post about the Mausoleum for more on the grounds of Duff House.
The Secret Room Update
We revisited the bridge in autumn and were given permission to access the Earl’s secret room/love nest. This involved a somewhat steep and scary climb down the bank of the river.
It was worth it. The room is beautiful.
Naughty Dancers Instead of Earls
Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?
When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her rich, handsome teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his new school in Scotland…
My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this heady mix of contemporary romance and ballet set in a castle. Readers of my historical fiction will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these books.
There are no cliffhanger endings in this series; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more. Read all the blurbs here
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
Historical Fiction
These novels combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.
- SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: ancient battle, neurodiversity and forbidden romance.
- THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR: witchcraft, a stone circle, a castle and six chapters of medieval Christmas.
- FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE: kidnapping, romance, friendship and chocolate.
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
Newsletter
Go here to sign up for my (roughly monthly) newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
Read all about little old me here!
I’ve said before, and will say again that this gentle, informative blog is one of the best on the internet; I think its essays and accompanying photos would make for a handsome book
Thank you Charles 🙂
Feeling well privileged today, seeing what you get out of a walk and how you transcribe it, I am amazed! Beautifully told,you also found out about the window.
It was a great walk 🙂 We need to find out about those hooks… look like they could have secured ropes maybe.
I will research it while chillin in my new snug tonight.
Thank you so much for the research! Is the snug finished?
We have a house.:)
You have so many wonderful places to visit! Sigh…
We are lucky 🙂
Stunning. Your photos are always gorgeous. Always. And oftentimes, I feel like I’m there, inside the photo. Thanks for sharing this walk.
I’m glad you enjoyed it Sarah 🙂
Beautiful! Funny our perspective as children. I used to walk to school up an “enormous” hill. When I returned as an adult, I discovered this bit of a hill.
It is interesting to observe how our outlook changes 🙂
Ailish, I serendipitously found you on Twitter and am living vicariously through your blog now. My first visit to Scotland in May stole a piece of my heart and now I’m pining to go back. Thanks for the beautiful photos and sharing your Nature adventures with us. 🙂
Hi Barbara, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog and hope you get to revisit Scotland soon 🙂
I can only repeat myself too! This is another of your awesome, well-put and informative, compact blogs paired with truly beautiful pictures. The Scottish tourist board should ‘link’ them – and pay you for it! 🙂
Now, there’s a thought 😉
I’m so glad your FB page directed me to your blog, Ailish. Thank you. 🙂
Glad you like 🙂
Incredible images. Thanks for sharing!!!!
Great post, Ailish. My dad used to play there as a bairn!
Quite a dangerous playground in places!
Ay, that it is! But so beautiful.
Beautiful!
Can definitely see Rivendell being set there!
Yes, it is more Rivendell than Mordor!
So very beautiful.
It is.
That window looks truly magical.
There was great light at that moment.
A semi-secret room in a bridge, a naughty earl, a vengeful wife – Good material for a murder mystery there.
It could be!
What a lovely place. And thanks for taking us into the Earl’s room. It’s fun to discover something like that.
It was rather 🙂
Beautiful photos.
Thank you 🙂