Findhorn Viaduct (Forres)

The Findhorn Viaduct is a railway bridge near Forres in Moray, Scotland. Built for the Inverness & Aberdeen Junction Railway between 1856 and 1858 by Joseph Mitchell, with ironwork by William Fairbairn & Sons of Manchester,[1] the viaduct carries the railway line over the River Findhorn[2] approximately 1.7 km (1.1 mi) west of the town of Forres.[1]

Findhorn Viaduct
The Findhorn Viaduct
Coordinates57°36′26″N 3°38′27″W / 57.60722°N 3.64083°W / 57.60722; -3.64083
CarriesRailway
CrossesRiver Findhorn
Heritage statusCategory A listed building
Characteristics
MaterialCast iron and masonry
History
ArchitectJoseph Mitchell
Construction end1858
Location
Map

The bridge comprises three box spans of wrought iron, each 150 feet (46 m) long, at a height of approximately 18 feet (5.5 m) above the river.[3] With side spans bridged by arched girders at each end of the viaduct, the total length of the structure is 608.5 feet (185.5 m).[4] It features piers of channeled masonry and ashlar pylons,[1] and bears a cast iron plaque dated 1858.[3]

The Findhorn Viaduct was designated a Category A listed building in 1989.[3]

The viaduct shares its name with another railway bridge crossing the same river, the Findhorn Viaduct near Tomatin, some 14 km (8.7 mi) south-east of Inverness.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Walker, David W.; Woodworth, Matthew (2015). The Buildings of Scotland - Aberdeenshire: North and Moray. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 642. ISBN 9780300204285.
  2. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Forres, Findhorn Viaduct (103065)". Canmore. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Historic Environment Scotland. "Findhorn Viaduct (LB8690)". Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Moray HER - NJ05NW0185 - Findhorn Viaduct, Forres". Aberdeenshire Council. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Findhorn Viaduct". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  6. ^ "MHG2801 - Findhorn Viaduct, Tomatin". Highland Historic Environment Record. The Highland Council. Retrieved 29 June 2019.