Ornamental Bridges, Fish Pond, House of Falkland

Heritage listing

Category B Date Added 12/01/1971 Local Authority Fife Planning Authority Fife Burgh Falkland NGR NO 24710 07443 Coordinates 324710, 707443 — 1897. Pair of small, semi-circular-arched ornamental bridges with concave, open balustrades and circular terminal piers with conical caps; forming inlet and outlet to fishpond and situated close to East Lodge. Random rubble to arch, spandrels and walls; stone ashlar to parapets. Parapets with decorative urn balusters and square-plan piers. Bridge to E with single parapet. Semi-circular rubble cascade to E. — These distinctive, ornamental bridges sit next to the East Lodge (see separate listing) at the entrance to House of Falkland Estate and are a critical part of the entrance approach to the Estate. The smooth ornamental parapets and contrasting rustic masonry of the bridge emphasize the picturesque qualities of the surrounding designed landscape. Ornamental bridges were important features in wider designed landscapes and these are good examples of their type. The bridges also form an important functioning element of the fishpond by helping to regulate the input and outflow of water through the pond. The bridge by the outfall includes a small dam with a cascade below, emphasising the picturesque composition of the pond and bridges. In its present form, House of Falkland Estate dates from the early 19th century when it was acquired by a John Bruce in 1821. During his time at the estate, Bruce improved the lands around the existing estate house, Nuthill House (now demolished), built the Stables (see separate listing), and cascades and bridges were erected over the Mill and Maspie Burns to allow for walks through the estate. On his death in 1826, his niece Margaret Bruce inherited the Estate. She married Onesiphorus Tyndall Bruce in

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.