Carron Bridge (River Spey)

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Carron Bridge
Bridge Of Carron (geograph 4810444) (cropped).jpg
The Carron Bridge arching over the Spey
Coordinates 57°27′15″N3°17′38″W / 57.45417°N 3.29389°W / 57.45417; -3.29389
CarriesRailway and road (railway now closed)
Crosses River Spey
Heritage status Category A listed building
Characteristics
Material Cast iron
Longest span45.7 metres
History
ArchitectAlexander Gibb
Fabrication byWilliam McKinnon and Co, Aberdeen
Opened1863
Location
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]

Contents

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. [5] 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. [5] 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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 Paxton, Roland; Shipway, Jim (2007). Civil Engineering Heritage - Scotland Highlands and Islands. ICE Publishing. ISBN   0727734881. – quoted in: Historic Environment Scotland. "Carron, Bridge Of Carron (Site no. NJ24SW 14)" . Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Carron Bridge over the Spey". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Historic Environment Scotland. "Carron, Bridge Of Carron (Site no. NJ24SW 14)" . Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 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.
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