The Glaisnock Viaduct or Caponacre Viaduct is a viaduct over the Glaisnock Water, on the former Glasgow and South Western Railway. It is located in Cumnock, East Ayrshire.

Glaisnock Viaduct
Glaisnock Viaduct
Coordinates55°26′55″N 4°15′24″W / 55.4487°N 4.2566°W / 55.4487; -4.2566
CarriesPedestrian Footpath
CrossesGlaisnock Water
LocaleCumnock
Characteristics
Total length160m
Height23m
No. of spans13
Clearance belowGlaisnock Water
History
Opened1872
Closed1964
Location
Map

History

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The viaduct was opened in 1872 by the Glasgow and South Western Railway.[1] Under the Beeching cuts, the railway was closed in 1964,[2] although the last train had run on 4 June 1962.[3]

It was restored for pedestrian use in 1972,[4] and is now part of a well-used footpath, going between Wyllie Crescent and Birchwood Road.[2][5] The viaduct was listed as category B listed building in 1977.[6]

Near the viaduct is a stone known as the "Deil Stane" (Devil Stone), a stone around 6 by 7 feet (1.8 by 2.1 m) in area and 15 inches (380 mm) high, with a mark resembling a cloven hoof, said by local legend to be made by the Devil.[7]

Design

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It is a masonry viaduct with 13 spans and segmental arches.[1] The highest arch is around 75 feet (23 m) high,[8] and the structure is around 160 metres (520 ft) long.[2] The viaduct runs in an east-west direction, with a slight curve to the south.[5][6] The piers, spandrels, and parapets are rubble with red ashlar underneath the arches.[6]

Close to the viaduct is the Murray Park.[6] Cumnock, at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water the Holm Burn. Cumnock has two viaducts, the other being the Woodroad Viaduct.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cumnock, Glaisnock Water, Caponacre Viaduct". scotlandsplaces.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Rebecca McQuillan (6 April 2013). "Life after Beeching: a boon for walkers and cyclists". The Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Glaisnock Viaduct". Forgotten Relics. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Glaisnock Railway Viaduct". scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Glaisnock Viaduct" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Historic Environment Scotland. "Former Railway Viaduct now Footbridge, Murray Park (Category B Listed Building) (LB24134)". Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  7. ^ "What was the Deil Stane?". Cumnock Chronicle. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Viaducts". Cumnock History Group. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  9. ^ Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (1995). Ayrshire. CUP Archive. pp. 154–155. GGKEY:P4J5YUNJB4N.
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