The bridge was originally designed by John Stevenson of Oban (and not by Thomas Telford as sometimes quoted)[2] and was built between 1792 and 1793 by engineer Robert Mylne.

The original design had two arches,[3] but it was finally built with a single high arch, of roughly 22 metres (72 ft) span and about 12 metres (39 ft) above the bed of the channel, to allow the passage of vessels of up to 40 tonnes (39 long tons) at high tide.

The bridge is still in use today, forming part of the B844 road, and is in the care of Historic Scotland.

[3] Such an appellation has also been applied to certain other bridges having similar situations, such as the Brúgvin um Streymin in the Faroe Islands and between Lewis and Great Bernera in the Outer Hebrides.

In 1837, 192 pilot whales were caught in a similar fashion, the largest being 8 metres (26 ft) long.