Craigmin Bridge
57°38′44″N 2°56′17″W / 57.64556°N 2.93806°W
Craigmin Bridge | |
|---|---|
Craigmin Bridge | |
| Coordinates | 57°38′44″N 2°56′17″W / 57.6456°N 2.93807°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians; originally carriages |
| Crosses | The Burn of Letterfourie |
| Heritage status | Category A listed building |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Rubble |
| History | |
| Architect | Robert Adam (probably)[1] |
| Construction end | Circa 1773 |
| Location | |
Craigmin Bridge is an eighteenth century bridge within the grounds of Letterfourie House, in Moray, Scotland. Spanning the Burn of Letterfourie, it once formed part of the main approach road to the house. Probably built by Robert Adam, who designed the house, it is a Category A listed building, and is currently on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
Description edit
The bridge has a very unusual[2] two-tier design, with a lower, single-arched span supporting two semi-circular arches above, with a smaller segmental arch[3] and a mural passage between them,[4] and a shallow round-headed niche above in the spandrel.[4] The structure is rubble-built, with end buttresses, an undulating parapet, and a later concrete cope.[5] A doorway in the north-west corner of the bridge gives access to a small cell built into the structure.[6][7]
The span of the lower arch is 36 feet 6 inches (11.13 m), and each of the upper arches has a 28 feet (8.5 m) span.[3] The unusual design has been described as 'remarkable',[2] 'curious'[8] and 'wildly picturesque'.[9]
History edit
The bridge has existed in its current state since around 1773,[2] when it was built to carry a carriage drive to Letterfourie House over the steep ravine of the Burn of Letterfourie.[4] It is possible that the upper, two-span tier was built on top of an existing, single-span structure, giving rise to the unusual design.[5][7][8] This would likely have been because the a road leading up the ravine from the level of the lower tier, while suitable for foot traffic, would have been too steep for a carriage to manage.[3] It is probable that Robert Adam, who designed the house, also worked on the bridge,[1] but no drawings or documentation survive to confirm this.[7]
The bridge was designated a category A listed building in 1972.[4] It was added to the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2008, due to the invasion of vegetation leading to bulging walls and the loss of pointing and masonry.[7] Despite some efforts to cut back the vegetation, it is still at risk, and as of August 2018 was classified as being at 'high' risk and in 'poor' condition.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Building/Design Report, Letterfourie House". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Walker and Woodworth (2015). Pevsner Architectural Guides - The Buildings of Scotland - Aberdeenshire: North and Moray. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. pp. 687–688. ISBN 9780300204285.
- ^ a b c Historic Environment Scotland. "Letterfourie House, Craigmin Bridge (133305)". Canmore. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d Historic Environment Scotland. "Letterfourie, Craigmin Bridge over Burn of Letterfourie (LB15542)". Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Moray SMR - NJ46SW0029 - Craigmin Bridge". Aberdeenshire Council. Aberdeenshire Council. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Five of Scotland's lesser-known bridges". The Scotsman. JPI Media Ltd. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Craigmin Bridge, Letterfourie House Policies, Drybridge". Buildings at risk register for Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Ian (1996). Exploring Scotland's Heritage - Aberdeen and North-East Scotland (Second ed.). Edinburgh: HMSO. p. 75. ISBN 0114952906.
- ^ McKean, Charles (1987). The District of Moray - An Illustrated Architectural Guide (First ed.). Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press. p. 124. ISBN 0707305284.