Boat o' Brig Viaduct
Location type
BridgeName and dates
Boat o' Brig Viaduct (1859-)Opened on the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway.
Description
This single track viaduct crosses the River Spey to the east of Orton. Also known as Spey Bridge, one of many, or Orton Bridge.
In case of severe floodwaters, not unknown on the Spey, the bridge has high cutwaters. The bridge is 220yds long with a single metal span approached by six stone arches to the north. Joseph Mitchell's original bridge was an open box girder, through which trains ran. The bridge is 70 ft above the normal river level.
The original bridge was similar to Findhorn Viaduct [Forres].
Although the railway opened in 1858 the viaduct was not complete until early 1859 and for a short time passengers had to de-train and use the neighbouring road bridge.
This girder was replaced in 1906 with a lattice girder section. A temporary signal box was provided during the works. The new girder was manufactured by Head, Wrightson and Co Ltd. The new bridge was constructed inside the original box girder which was then removed.
Another bridge, the disused Speymouth Viaduct, is further north at Garmouth.
Tags
Viaduct River SpeyAliases
Spey Bridge Orton Bridge
| Nearby stations Orton Junction Orton Sourden Mulben Rothes Tauchers Platform Birchfield Platform Orbliston Dandaleith Craigellachie [2nd] Fochabers Town Balnacoul Halt Coleburn^s Platform Aultmore Drummuir Curlers Platform | Gerbity Crossing Collie Crossing Sourden Tunnel Craigellachie Bridge Orbliston Ballast Siding Delriach Viaduct Fiddich Viaduct [Craigellachie] Craigellachie Bridge [Road] Craigellachie Brick and Tile Works Tourist/other Auchroisk Distillery Speyburn Distillery Glen Grant Distillery Glenspey Distillery Glenrothes Distillery Glentauchers Distillery |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
Dedication PlaquesThe plaques from this bridge are now on display at Inverness station. One reads I & A. J. RWY. and the other Directors |
