Viaduct, Oxenfoord Castle

This is a castellated bridge, built circa 1783, designed by Robert Adam and Alexander Stevens. It forms part of a group value context with Oxenfoord Castle and its lodges. The bridge carries the drive to the castle across a steep ravine. It consists of three semi-circular arches constructed from polished sandstone ashlar block work with ashlar coping. The north-east and south-west (principal) elevations feature a higher central arch set upon piers, flanked by smaller arches. The arch voussoirs and abutments are rusticated with ashlar; an impost course runs along the top. A projecting crenellated parapet sits atop a dentil course, and projecting pilaster abutments are positioned on either flank. Blank curved wing walls extend outwards, with a parapet course leading to a plain parapet featuring splayed coping and polygonal terminals.

The bridge was commissioned by Sir John Dalrymple, who, as early as 1760, had expressed a desire for a bridge to enhance the park’s romantic qualities, mentioning the idea to the poet William Shenstone. Alexander Stevens, a known bridge builder, initially submitted plans and a cost estimate of £180 1s 2d in April 1782. These earlier plans proposed a bridge with a plain parapet and a higher central span, which was ultimately not realised. A revised plan, submitted in 1783 and stylistically consistent with Adam’s work on the main house, was then adopted. Adam and Stevens had previously collaborated on the design of Ayr Bridge.