Bridge of Avon

Official Heritage Listing Information and Findings

Listed At: Category A

Discussion:

Historic Environment Scotland Number: LB8462

Canmore ID: 16001

Description

George Burn, architect; dated 1800. High single span bridge with additional small arch at N bank. Rubble, tooled rubble arch rings springing from tooled ashlar abutment at S bank and similar pier with rounded cutwaters close to N bank. Tooled rubble parapet; drainage vents; later iron ties; 2 inscribed plaques in S facing spandrel.

Statement of Special Interest

Now by-passed. Upper plaque inscribed 'Built by General Grant of Ballandalloch 1800. G. Burn Arct.' Lower plaque inscribed 'Flood line 4 August, 1829'. George Burn (probably also contractor for Bridge of Avon) was contractor for Spey Bridge, Fochabers (1803) and Lovat Bridge, Beauly (1813), both designed by Thomas Telford. At this point the river rose 23' during the 1829 floods.

Accessing Scotland's Past Project

A high, single span bridge, designed by the architect George Burn, crosses the River Avon. Opened in 1800, it is now used only by walkers.
The bridge is constructed of rubble, with the arch rising from a smooth stone abutment at the south bank, and with a pier built of similar stone at the north bank. Drainage vents run across the top of the bridge, which is now braced by iron ties.
There are two plaques on the south face of the bridge. The upper plaque records the building of the bridge by General Grant of Ballindalloch, while the lower marks the highest point reached by the river during the flood of 1829, which raised the water by about 7m.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project

Accessing Scotland's Past Project (Information On Ballindalloch Castle, South Lodge, Adjacent to Bridge)

A gate-lodge and entrance arch are located about 800m south-east of Ballindalloch Castle, at the eastern end of the Bridge of Avon.
The lodge and arch were designed by the architect Thomas Mackenzie and built in 1850. The lodge is a narrow, three-storeyed building, with three small turrets projecting from the corners of the uppermost storey. A round stair tower rises the full height of the building at the fourth, south-west corner.
The entrance arch, to the east of the lodge bears the Macpherson coat of arms to the south, and a monogrammed panel to the north.
The lodge and arch display features typical of the Scots Baronial style, including crow-stepped gables, small turrets with conical roofs and a round stair-tower. This style became popular in the mid-nineteenth century.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project