Carron Bridge (River Spey)
Bridge in Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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Carron Bridge | |
|---|---|
The Carron Bridge arching over the Spey | |
| Coordinates | 57°27′15″N 3°17′38″W |
| Carries | Railway and road (railway now closed) |
| Crosses | River Spey |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Cast iron |
| Longest span | 45.7 metres |
| History | |
| Architect | Alexander Gibb |
| Fabrication by | William McKinnon and Co, Aberdeen |
| Opened | 1863 |
Listed Building – Category A | |
| Official name | Carron Bridge Over River Spey |
| Designated | 9 November 1987 |
| Reference no. | LB8495 |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Carron Bridge | |
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]