Bridge Of Avon, River Avon, Bridge-End

The Bridge of Avon is a single-span bridge dating from 1800, designed by George Burn. It crosses the River Avon near Bridge-End. A smaller arch has been added to the north bank. The bridge is constructed of rubble, with tooled rubble arch rings springing from a tooled ashlar abutment on the south bank and a similar pier with rounded cutwaters near the north bank. It has a rubble parapet and drainage vents. Later iron ties have been added. Two inscribed plaques are located within the south-facing spandrel. The upper plaque reads 'Built by General Grant of Ballandalloch 1800. G. Burn Arct.' The lower plaque states 'Flood line 4 August, 1829'. George Burn, who likely also acted as contractor for this bridge, also worked on the Spey Bridge at Fochabers (1803) and the Lovat Bridge at Beauly (1813), both projects designed by Thomas Telford. The river rose 23 feet during the floods of August 1829, as documented on the lower plaque. The bridge is now bypassed. A published account of the 1829 floods, by Thomas Dick Lauder, details the event.