Document record MAB51127 - RIVER LOSSIE, ELGIN

Site of former railway bridge, removed in 2014 as part of the Elgin Flood Alleviation Works.

Site of former railway bridge, removed in 2014 as part of the Elgin Flood Alleviation Works. The bridge was constructed to carry the Morayshire Railway northwards from Elgin over the River Lossie. The Morayshire railway was the first to be built north of Aberdeen and was started in the 1850s. The branch line opened in August 1852. It closed to passenger traffic in 1964 and was shut completely in 1966. A plaque on the bridge reads 'James Abernethy and Co Engineers Aberdeen 1885', indicating that it is not the original structure. It is believed it was replaced after a Board of Trade report on an incident on the Macduff branch line in 1882 recommended replacement of cast iron bridges that did not have an ample margin of theoretical strength. It is primarily of stone construction in coursed rusticated ashlar. The main span consists of iron girders (now covered in tarmac) although the stone abutments to either side sweep outwards. To each side is a tall round-headed passageway giving pedestrian access by the river. Following line closure the old bridge became a footpath after the tracks were concreted over. The floor of the passageways have been covered in stones. Subject to historic building recording by AOC in 2011, prior to its demolition.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2011, ELGIN FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME : HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING REPORT, Building recording (Bibliographic reference). SAB3657.

Author unknown, n.d., THE NORTHERN SCOT, 18/07/14 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1270.

Record last edited

Aug 4 2020 4:54PM