Findhorn Viaduct (Forres)
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{{Infobox bridge
| name = Findhorn Viaduct
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| image = File:Findhorn Railway Bridge (geograph 2304113).jpg
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| caption = The Findhorn Viaduct
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| coordinates = {{coord|57|36|26|N|3|38|27|W|region:GB|display=inline, title}}
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| carries = Railway
| crosses = River Findhorn
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| heritage = Category A listed building
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| material = Cast iron and masonry
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| architect = Joseph Mitchell
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| complete = 1858
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The Findhorn Viaduct is a railway bridge at Forres (north-east of Inverness) in the Moray council area of Scotland. It crosses the River Findhorn to the west of the town. Opened in 1858, it is a Category A listed building.
History
The viaduct was built for the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway (later amalgamated into the Highland Railway). Work commenced in 1856 and the structure was completed in 1858. The engineer was Joseph Mitchell and the builders were Thomas Brassey and James Falshaw. The ironwork was by William Fairbairn & Sons of Manchester, England.{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=David W. |last2=Woodworth |first2=Matthew |title=The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire: North and Moray |date=2015 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven |isbn=9780300204285 |page=642}}{{cite book|last=Biddle|first=Gordon|title=Britain's Historic Railway Buildings: A Gazetteer of Structures|edition=second|publisher=Ian Allan|location=Hersham|year=2011|isbn=9780711034914|page=746}}{{cite book|last1=Paxton|first1=Roland|last2=Shipway|first2=Jim|title=Civil Engineering Heritage Scotland: Highlands and Islands|year=2007|publisher=Thomas Telford|isbn=978-0-7277-3488-4|page=139}}
Design
The viaduct carries a single track over the River Findhorn{{Canmore |desc=Forres, Findhorn Viaduct |num=103065 |accessdate=29 June 2019}} approximately {{convert|1.7|km|abbr=off|order=flip}} west of the town of Forres.{{Historic Environment Scotland |desc=Findhorn Viaduct |num=LB8690 |fewer-links=yes |accessdate=29 June 2019}} It comprises three spans of wrought iron open-top box, each {{convert|150|ft}} long. The viaduct is comparatively low, reaching a height of {{convert|18|ft|6|in|abbr=off}} above the river. The total length of the structure, including side spans, is approximately {{convert|203|yd|abbr=off}}. The side spans are also in wrought iron and linked at the ends by wrought-iron ties in the shape of arches which span the width of the structure.{{cite web |title=Moray HER - NJ05NW0185 - Findhorn Viaduct, Forres |url=https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/master/detail.aspx?Authority=MOR&refno=NJ05NW0185 |website=Aberdeenshire Council |accessdate=29 June 2019}}
The spans are supported on large piers of channelled masonry and ashlar. The piers have rectangular panels cut into their sides, large high cutwaters, and terminate in moulded caps. Their foundations are in the rock bed {{convert|18|ft|abbr=off}} below the river. The abutments have similar detailing, along with Romanesque balustrades, rusticated incisions.{{Cite book |last=McFetrich |first=David |title=An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges |date=2019 |publisher=Pen and Sword Books |isbn=9781526752956 |edition=Revised and extended |location=Barnsley |page=121}} A cast-iron plaque records the opening of the bridge in 1858.
The Findhorn Viaduct was designated a Category A listed building in 1989, a status which provides it legal protection.
The viaduct shares its name with another railway bridge crossing the same river, the Findhorn Viaduct near Tomatin, some {{convert|14|km|abbr=off}} south-east of Inverness.{{cite web |title=Findhorn Viaduct |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst6430.html |website=Gazetteer for Scotland |accessdate=29 June 2019}}{{cite web |title=MHG2801 - Findhorn Viaduct, Tomatin |url=https://her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG2801 |website=Highland Historic Environment Record |publisher=The Highland Council |accessdate=29 June 2019}}