History in Structure

Single Cable Suspension Bridge, Ardtonish Estate

A Category B Listed Building in Fort William and Ardnamurchan, Highland

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 56.5863 / 56°35'10"N

Longitude: -5.7486 / 5°44'54"W

OS Eastings: 169918

OS Northings: 750112

OS Grid: NM699501

Mapcode National: GBR DC59.RNG

Mapcode Global: WH0FG.NQS6

Plus Code: 9C8PH7P2+GH

Entry Name: Single Cable Suspension Bridge, Ardtonish Estate

Listing Name: Ardtonish Estate, Single Cable Suspension Bridge

Listing Date: 11 April 2007

Category: B

Source: Historic Scotland

Source ID: 399416

Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB50848

Building Class: Cultural

Also known as: Ardtonish Estate, Single Cable Suspension Bridge

ID on this website: 200399416

Location: Morvern

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Fort William and Ardnamurchan

Parish: Morvern

Traditional County: Argyllshire

Tagged with: Suspension bridge

Find accommodation in
Acharn

Description

Samuel Barham, circa 1892. Cast-iron and timber mono-cable suspension bridge over the Abhainn a Ghlinne Ghill water on the Ardtornish Estate. 10 thin cast-iron hanger frames, suspended evenly along single iron bar, supported by cast-iron pipe A-frame pylons to either riverside. Pylons set on dressed stone piers with stone foundation into riverbank. Pylons supported by tensile cast-iron cables anchored to hillsides. Hanger frames linked by timber bearers, carrying crossways spanning timber slats to form deck. Timber walkways to either side linking deck to ground level on either side.

Statement of Interest

The suspension bridge was designed by Samuel Barham, the Clerk of works of the Ardtornish Estate, who oversaw much of the estate buildings in the late 19th century, and is thought to be one of the earliest surviving examples of a single cable suspension bridge in Europe: indeed few have ever been built. This particular design of bridge is claimed to have firstbeen invented by Fritz Leonhardt of Germany as late as 1960, yet drawings for the Ardtornish bridge as built are held by the Ardtornish Estate archive dated 1892, putting it nearly 70 years ahead of this recent claim.

The bridge survives almost entirely in its original condition apart from replacements to the tread timbers over the years. The central suspension member, presumed to be iron wire, is on closer inspection a solid iron rod.

Situated near Acharn farm, at the southern end of Loch Arienas.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.