Route of the Modern Road
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The route from Bridge of Orchy immediately diverges from any previous roads across Rannoch Moor, simply as the modern road does not use the bridge. Instead, it takes a wide loop around the eastern side of Loch Tulla, initially on the alignment of the estate track that leads to Achallader Farm. The records suggest that this road was heavily improved in the 1880s and 90s when the construction of the West Highland Railway was underway, providing access to the various works along the line.
After diverging from the Achallader road, the modern route takes a long straight section across the lower moor, crossing the River Orchy at the further end on one of the magnificent bridges that are familiar to any travellers along the route. A huge hairpin then climbs the hill onto the upper moor, where the road passes between Lochan na h-Achlaise and Loch Ba, as opposed to the older routes which ran to the west of the lochan. Another long gradient then lifts the road to its summit of 350m, before a series of straights and sweeping bends drop down to the Kingshouse, where the second iconic bridge crosses the River Etive.
1930s bridge over the Etive. Click to enlarge
Before reaching the Kingshouse, the modern road crosses Telford's route by Blackrock Cottage where the Glencoe Ski Centre junction lies. A new road now provides access to the hotel, while another half mile further on the modern A82 finally assumes Telford's alignment at the Glen Etive crossroads. Here Telford's road joins from the east as the first section of the access road for Black Corries Lodge.
For the next eight miles, the modern road either follows or runs alongside Telfords route. The variations mainly occur where modern (1930s) equipment was able to create a straighter and more level route than Telford had been able to a century earlier. Where Telford had followed the contours, wiggling along the hillside, before climbing round the many rocky obstacles that lie at the head of Glen Coe, the modern road builders were able to blast through the rock and create a much smoother route for modern traffic.
The most spectacular section is where the road passes through the narrow rocky chasm known as The Study. Very short straights are linked by long curves curling round the rocky buttresses, with the river charging through the small area left for it, in places almost covered by the road. Even the wide section where the new bridge (built 2007) has provided a viewpoint for the waterfall is only half way, with the rock walls closing in once more before you are finally rewarded with the view down Glen Coe.
The A82 passes through the Study. Click to enlarge
Beyond The Study, Telford's road can be seen dropping sharply down the hillside to meet the modern road, behind a parapet wall, and within half a mile it has emerged on the left, running through the glen as a major footpath providing access from the car parking to the mountains on the other side of the glen. The two re-converge by the farm of Achtriochtan, passing Loch Achtriochtan as one. The short access loop for Achnambeithach is part of Telford's old road as it turns off to follow the River Coe into Glecoe village. Meanwhile, the modern road crosses the river (with a new replacement bridge opened in 2009) to sweep down the western flank of the lower glen and so bypass the village.
