Findhorn Viaduct (Forres)

The Findhorn Viaduct is a railway bridge near Forres in Moray, Scotland. Built for the Inverness & Aberdeen Junction Railway between 1856-8 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 west of the town of Forres.[1]

Not to be confused with Findhorn Viaduct (Tomatin).

Findhorn Viaduct
The Findhorn Viaduct
Coordinates	57°36′27″N 3°38′26″W
Carries	Railway
Crosses	River Findhorn
Heritage status	Category A listed building
Characteristics
Material	Cast iron and masonry
History
Architect	Joseph Mitchell
Construction end	1858

The bridge comprises three box spans of wrought iron, each 150 feet long, at a height of approximately 18 feet 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.[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 south-east of Inverness.[5][6]

References

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