Bridge over Kel Burn, Kelburn Castle, Fairlie

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 29/08/1985 Last Date Amended 17/11/2016 Supplementary Information Updated 21/11/2016 Local Authority North Ayrshire Planning Authority North Ayrshire Parish Largs NGR NS 21564 56591 Coordinates 221564, 656591 — Around 1750. A single-span, segmental-arch bridge crossing the Kel Burn to the southwest of Kelburn Castle on the principal south approach drive to Kelburn Castle. The bridge has a level carriageway with a stepped splayed parapet of diagonally droved ashlar, and polished ashlar voussoirs with a moulded cornice. — This mid-18th century single-span bridge of classical proportions, is finely constructed with diagonally droved ashlar stone with simple, paired-back detailing and survives largely as it was first built. It forms part of the processional approach to the castle and makes a contribution to our understanding of the design and development of the Kelburn Castle landscape during the 18th century. Age and Rarity Probably dating to around 1750, this single-span bridge over the Kel Burn to the south of the castle, retains the same footprint as it appeared on the first Edition Ordnance Survey map, surveyed in 1855. By the beginning of the 18th century, the laying out of estate landscapes began to move away from the formal rigidity and symmetrically of the late 17th century estate planning. Classically inspired bridges and monuments were introduced as part of designed landscapes during the 18th century. There are many 18th century bridges on large estates, with Scotland having a particularly fine tradition of bridge building in stone. During this period, longer, curved or serpentine approach drives (moving away from formal, symmetrical approaches) with gate lodges often located at the perimeter of the estate were built, to mark the main entry

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.