Dunans Bridge

Dunans Bridge

Dunans Bridge is a category A-listed structure,^[1] designed by Thomas Telford. It is located at Dunans Castle on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. It was built for John Fletcher of Dunans,^[1] to commemorate the battle of Waterloo. The bridge was completed in 1815, and predates the 1864 elaboration of Dunans House by Kerr into a Franco-Baronial "castle". The three-arched rubble construction is considered internationally important as it is the only extant bridge of this type. It stands over 15 metres (49 ft) from the river bed and has been voted one of Scotland's ten best bridges.^[2] It was built to replace the now destroyed "swing bridge". Though it is of a kind often constructed by Telford, the three arches, gargoyles and eight hexagonal piers, as well as its sheer height 16 metres (52 ft), make it unique.

The structure is in the "At Risk" category on the "Buildings at Risk Register for scotland."The 2008 inspection indicated:"there is significant vegetation growth on and around the structure and the buttress caps have been damaged by cement repairs."^[3]

Coordinates: 56°04′25″N 5°09′00″W / 56.0737°N 5.1500°W / 56.0737; -5.1500

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Listed Building Report". Hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk. 1971-07-20. http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=11806. Retrieved 2011-11-05. 
2. ^ Published on Thu May 03 13:04:25 BST 2007. "Best bridge - Features - Scotsman.com". Thescotsman.scotsman.com. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/recommends/Best-bridge.3282292.jp. Retrieved 2011-11-05. 
3. ^ "Dunans Bridge, SCT Ref No 3689, Argyll and Bute". Buildingsatrisk.org.uk. http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=3689&region=Aberdeenshire&div=&class=ALL&category=AT+RISK&Page=1&NumImg=5. Retrieved 2011-11-05.