Potarch Bridge, Kincardine o’ Neil
This bridge, on the line of the old military road from Edinburgh via Cairn o’ Mount to Fochabers and later to Fort George, carries the B993 over the Dee. It was the second bridge to be constructed in Aberdeenshire for the
Highland Roads Commission is built of coursed granite masonry without decorative features except for the string course at road level. It is an outstanding example of its type. The bridge, designed by Telford, has
three segmental arch spans of 65 ft, 70 ft and, 65 ft and is 17 ft wide between parapets.
Construction began in 1811 and the contractor, William Minto, agreed to complete the bridge within two years. During building, while the arch-rings were supported on centring, logs being floated downriver lodged against the temporary works and caused the collapse of the partially
completed work. The bridge was completed in 1814 for £4067. Minto also improved 1312 miles of road from just north of the bridge to Alford Bridge.
R Paxton and J Shipway, 2007.
Reproduced from 'Civil Engineering heritage: Scotland - Highlands and Islands' with kind permission from Thomas Telford Publishers.
