MHG7376 - Bonar Bridge (Telford)
Summary
Telford's Bonar Bridge was built in 1812 and was similar to that at Craigellachie. It collapsed in 1892, undermined by flood water.
Type and Period (1)
- BRIDGE (Built, 19th Century - 1812 AD (built) to 1892 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
The original Thomas Telford bridge at Bonar Bridge.
The bridge was painted by William Darnell in 1821. An aquatint is in the collections of Aberdeen City Archives, Gallery and Museums. <1>
Telford's Bonar Bridge was built in 1812 and was similar to that at Craigellachie (NJ24NE 15). Telford intended it to have two identical cast-iron arches, but the absence of a suitable rock base on the S side caused it to be built with two masonry spans and an iron one of 150 ft (45.7m). It survived the impacts of fir trunks and a ship, but collapsed in January 1892 when it was undermined by flood water. <2>
In 2014 ARCH provided a number of courses, field trips and other activities exploring and researching the remains of the 19th century engineer, road and church builder Thomas Telford. A project was undertaken in Kyle of Sutherland, during which many sites were visited and photographed by participants. A scan of the plan of the elevation of the original bridge was supplied as part of this project. <3> <4>
For (adjacent) present and successor bridges, see NH69SW 62.00 and 62.01 respectively.
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SHG3958 Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG3959 Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
- <1> SHG29145 Collection/Finds Collection: Aberdeen City Council. Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums Collection Catalogue. ABDAG007785.
- <2> SHG2572 Text/Publication/Volume: Nelson, G. 1990. Highland Bridges. Paperback. 151.
- <3> SHG2861 Text/Publication/Volume: Telford, T. 1838. Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford, civil engineer.
- <4> SHG27906 Dataset/Database File: Kruse, S.. 2015. Telford in the Kyle of Sutherland Project. Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). Yes. Digital. Site 10.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 6093 9152 (103m by 37m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH69SW |
| Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
| Civil Parish | KINCARDINE |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (3)
- http://www.archhighland.org.uk/telford-in-kyle-of-sutherland.asp (View the ARCH Telford in the Kyle of Sutherland Project page)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/14053 (View HES Canmore entry for this site)
- https://emuseum.aberdeencity.gov.uk/objects/6888/bonar-bridge (View the William Darnell painting on the Aberdeen City Council emuseum website)
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