Bridge over Cnocan Burn

Heritage listing

Category B Group Category Details 100000019 - See Notes Date Added 08/08/1995 Local Authority North Ayrshire Planning Authority North Ayrshire Parish Kilbride NGR NS 00594 37872 Coordinates 200594, 637872 — Circa 1861. Single-span road bridge over burn in deep ravine within policies of Brodick Castle. Round arch with rusticated voissoirs. Curved carriageway. Hammer dressed pink sandstone, abutments and parapets. Ashlar pilasters and intrados. Saddleback-coped parapets. — Part of A Group at Brodick Castle Estate comprising: Brodick Castle; Bavarian Summerhouse; Cnocan Burn Road Bridge; Greenhyde and Castle Cottages; Ice House; Walled Garden; the Nursery; Main Gates, West Gates and Coastal Boundary Walls; South Gates; Sylvania and Brodick Kennels. An important component of the Brodick Castle Estate, the bridge appears to have been built as part of the scheme to open up the western policies of Brodick Castle, which also involved removal of old cottages and the old Brodick Village, and the creation of scenic woodland walks commissioned by the 11th Duke of Hamilton. The bridge, of Roman influence, spans the burn on the drive leading from South Gate, on the western approach to the castle, and the curve on the carriageway creates a dramatic effect as the route changes from northbound to eastbound and the vista towards the Castle opens up. Clearly more than simply a utilitarian structure, it was also intended to provide a romantic spectacle on a riverside walk through Cnocan Glen that passes several dramatic waterfalls. Brodick Castle Estate is included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. The designer of the bridge is not known, although the architect, William Burn, and the landscape gardener, W A Nesfield, were both engaged by the estate at this time. There is

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.