Conon Bridge
Encyclopedia
Conon Bridge is a small village in the Highland
region of Scotland
. The current Gaelic name is likely a neologism: the bridge wasn't built until the early 19th century and some early gravestones show the name sgudal or scuddle. One suggested source is the Old Norse "sku dal", valley of the fine views.
Situated near the market town of Dingwall
, on the southern bank of the River Conon
, in Ross-shire, it is at the western end of the Cromarty Firth
. The village of Maryburgh
is on the other side of the river.
Conon Bridge formerly had a railway station
on the line between Dingwall
(the nearest town) and Inverness
(the nearest city), which has been proposed as a candidate for reopening, after the success of doing so with nearby Beauly railway station
Given its excellent location, stunning scenery and that it is within commuting distance of Inverness, Conon Bridge has become an attractive and desirable place to live. Amenities at present are a small fraction of what they once were, hosting only a Spar shop, Post Office, two hairdressing salons, a bar and separate hotel. It also has its own primary school, which the pupils then go on to Dingwall Academy
. There is also a recently opened pharmacy. Private housing in the village is complemented by council estates. Future plans for the village include more exclusive, private housing schemes, a new primary school, a doctors' surgery and more shopping facilities for residents.
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
region of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The current Gaelic name is likely a neologism: the bridge wasn't built until the early 19th century and some early gravestones show the name sgudal or scuddle. One suggested source is the Old Norse "sku dal", valley of the fine views.
Situated near the market town of Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
, on the southern bank of the River Conon
River Conon
The River Conon is a river in the Highlands of Scotland. It begins at Loch Luichart, and flows in a south-easterly direction to be joined by the River Meig at Scatwell before passing through Loch Achonachie...
, in Ross-shire, it is at the western end of the Cromarty Firth
Cromarty Firth
The Cromarty Firth of Cromarty') is an arm of the North Sea in Scotland. It is the middle of the three sea lochs at the head of the Moray Firth: to the north lies the Dornoch Firth, and to the south the Beauly Firth....
. The village of Maryburgh
Maryburgh
Maryburgh is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland, 2 miles south of Dingwall.It is situated on the northern bank of the River Conon...
is on the other side of the river.
Conon Bridge formerly had a railway station
Conon Bridge railway station
Conon was a railway station built to serve the villages of Conon Bridge and Maryburgh in the Scottish Highlands.- History :The station is situated between Dingwall and Muir of Ord...
on the line between Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
(the nearest town) and Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
(the nearest city), which has been proposed as a candidate for reopening, after the success of doing so with nearby Beauly railway station
Beauly railway station
Beauly railway station serves the village of Beauly in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is the first stop after leaving Inverness station, heading north on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line and the Far North Line.-History:...
Given its excellent location, stunning scenery and that it is within commuting distance of Inverness, Conon Bridge has become an attractive and desirable place to live. Amenities at present are a small fraction of what they once were, hosting only a Spar shop, Post Office, two hairdressing salons, a bar and separate hotel. It also has its own primary school, which the pupils then go on to Dingwall Academy
Dingwall Academy
Dingwall Academy is the largest secondary school in the Highlands of Scotland, with an enrollment of 1005 pupils as of November 2006. The Academy is situated in the centre of Dingwall and brings in pupils from Conon Bridge, Maryburgh, Muir of Ord, Strathpeffer and the surrounding area.Dingwall...
. There is also a recently opened pharmacy. Private housing in the village is complemented by council estates. Future plans for the village include more exclusive, private housing schemes, a new primary school, a doctors' surgery and more shopping facilities for residents.