Carron Bridge (River Spey)

The Carron Bridge is a bridge at Carron in Moray, Scotland, which crosses the River Spey between the parishes of Knockando and Aberlour. It was built for the Strathspey Railway in 1863,[1] to a design by Alexander Gibb,[2] an engineer for the Great North of Scotland Railway,[3] and fabricated by the iron founders William McKinnon and Co.[4] It originally carried both the railway and a roadway, but the railway has now closed.[1]

Not to be confused with the Carron Bridge which crosses the River Forth near Kilsyth.
For the village in Dumfries and Galloway, see Carronbridge.

Carron Bridge
The Carron Bridge arching over the Spey
Coordinates57°27′15″N 3°17′38″W
CarriesRailway and road (railway now closed)
CrossesRiver Spey
Heritage statusCategory A listed building
Characteristics
MaterialCast iron
Longest span45.7 metres
History
ArchitectAlexander Gibb
Fabrication byWilliam McKinnon and Co, Aberdeen
Opened1863
Location

Description

Carron Bridge is located near the town of Carron, in Moray, Scotland.[5] The main span, a 45.7-metre-wide (150 ft) segmental arch, is supported by three cast iron ribs, each cast in seven parts and bolted together, with masonry flood arches on each bank,[6] which have spans of 7.6 metres (25 ft). The spandrels linking the main arch to the carriageways are composed of delicate cast iron lattice work.[6][7] At either end are abutment piers of rustic ashlar,[8] protected by triangular cutwaters.[1]

History

The bridge was constructed between 1862 and 1863 by engineer Alexander Gibb of the Great North of Scotland Railway, and ironfounders William McKinnon and Co.[9] It was the last cast iron railway bridge to be built in Scotland[6] and was also the last to be used by railway traffic.[9] When the Strathspey line closed in 1968, the railway tracks adjoining the road were removed.[3] It was designated a Category A listed building in 1987.[1] Proposals were put forward in 1993 to replace the bridge with a steel structure. Historic Scotland successfully objected to these, and the original structure was preserved and renovated to include the current single-lane road with adjoining footpath.[3]

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Carron Bridge over River Spey (Category A Listed Building) (LB8495)". Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  2. "Alexander Gibb". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  3. Paxton, Roland; Shipway, Jim (2007). Civil Engineering Heritage - Scotland Highlands and Islands. ICE Publishing. ISBN 0727734881. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  4. "Carron Bridge over the Spey". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  5. "Carron, Bridge Of Carron". Canmore: Historic Environment Scotland.
  6. Walker, David W.; Woodworth, Matthew (2015). The Buildings of Scotland – Aberdeenshire: North and Moray. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 500. ISBN 9780300204285.
  7. McKean, Charles (1987). The District of Moray - An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press and RIAC Publishing. p. 161. ISBN 1873190484.
  8. Hume, John R (1977). The Industrial Archaeology of Scotland 2. The Highlands and Islands. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 168. ISBN 071340809X.
  9. "Carron, Bridge Of Carron". CANMORE. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
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