Montagu Bridge

Heritage listing

Category A Group Category Details 100000019 - A Date Added 22/01/1971 Last Date Amended 21/06/2000 Local Authority Midlothian Planning Authority Midlothian Parish Dalkeith NGR NT 33363 68120 Coordinates 333363, 668120 — Robert Adam, 1792. Striking classical vehicle bridge, on E-W axis. Single span with semicircular arch. Droved ashlar. Piers advanced from abutments, with deep niches, and moulded rectangular panels above, containing waved relief and floreate motif. Parapet raised over piers and at centre. Dentilled cornice and frieze of circular motifs in moulded panels below parapet. Moulded archivolt. Barrel-vaulted pend to E. Barrel-vaulted chamber to SE. Cast-iron spearhead railings to approaches. Buttressed rubble wall and steps to embankment to NW. CAULD: low man-made weir stretching width of River North Esk. — Montagu Bridge crosses River North Esk. James Adam completed the bridge on the death of Robert Adam. A Group - see DALKEITH PARK. The cauld, shown in the Soane Museum drawings, formed an integral part of the design, heightening the picturesque effect of the bridge in the landscape. Upstream, the cauld produces a calm and tranquil effect, reflecting the bridge in the water. Viewed from downstream, the bridge is seen against the noisy tumult of white water. These contrasting views are important to the original conception of the bridge as an ordered classical structure in a "wild" and romantic setting.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.