Dunans Bridge facts for kids
Dunans Bridge is a very old and important bridge in Scotland. It was designed by a famous engineer named Thomas Telford. You can find it near Dunans Castle on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll. This bridge was built in 1815 to remember a big battle called the Battle of Waterloo. It's special because it's the only bridge of its kind still standing today!
Contents
Discovering Dunans Bridge: A Scottish Masterpiece
A Bridge Built for History
Dunans Bridge was finished in 1815. It was built for John Fletcher, who owned Dunans. The bridge was made to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo, a very important battle in history. This bridge was built before Dunans House became a "castle" in 1864. The castle was changed to look like a fancy French-style building.
Unique Features of the Bridge
This bridge is made of stone and has three arches. It stands over 15 meters (about 50 feet) above the river bed. People think it's one of Scotland's ten best bridges! It replaced an older "swing bridge" that is now gone.
Even though Thomas Telford built many bridges like this, Dunans Bridge is special. It has three arches, cool stone carvings called gargoyles, and eight hexagonal (six-sided) pillars. Its height of 16 meters (about 52 feet) also makes it truly unique.
Protecting a Historic Structure
Dunans Bridge is listed as a "Category A" structure. This means it's a very important historical building. However, the bridge is currently on the "Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland." This means it needs some care and repairs.
In 2008, an inspection showed that plants were growing on and around the bridge. Also, some parts of the bridge, called buttress caps, were damaged. These are the parts that support the bridge's structure. Work is needed to help protect this amazing piece of history for the future.
