Huntly Castle Bridge

Heritage listing

Category A Date Added 16/04/1971 Supplementary Information Updated 21/03/2013 Local Authority Aberdeenshire Planning Authority Aberdeenshire Parish Huntly NGR NJ 53268 40866 Coordinates 353268, 840866 — Probably 17th century (possibly with earlier fabric) with later strengthening (circa 1800) to W side. Single span, semi-circular arch rubble bridge of 40 feet with a narrow carriage width of nearly 9 feet and wider approaches. Chamferred ashlar voussoirs and intrados. Coped parapets. Sloping courses to foundations. Additional rubble buttressing to W pier (S side). — The Castle Bridge over the River Deveron is an important, early single span bridge in an area of outstanding historic interest, located between Huntly Castle and Huntly Lodge (Huntly Castle Hotel). The form and design of the bridge is analogous with 17th century and earlier bridge building in Scotland, with a narrow, gentle humped carriageway between wider piers and increasing in width toward the foundations. The neatly dressed, chamfered and scrolled ashlar to the barrel arch and supports are indicative of pre-18th century bridge construction. Information from Aberdeenshire Council in 2013 shows medieval masons marks on some of the stones, suggesting very early origins for this bridge although, as was common with this type of structure, it may have been repaired and rebuilt to some extent over the centuries. The 'Old Statistical Accounts of Scotland' (1791-99) describes the bridge as a very ancient but strong single-arch bridge over the river Deveron nigh to the remains of Huntly Castle, which leads to Huntly Lodge [now Huntly Castle Hotel] through a broad avenue shaded with trees of various kinds. It also notes that the bridge made journeys northward to Keith and Portsoy possible during periods of flood. Ir

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.