Laigh Milton Viaduct, Kilmarnock, United Kingdom

Laigh Milton Viaduct is a railway viaduct near Laigh Milton mill to the west of Gatehead in East Ayrshire, Scotland, about five miles (eight kilometres) west of Kilmarnock. It is probably the world's earliest surviving railway viaduct on a public railway, and the earliest known survivor of a type of multi-span railway structure subsequently adopted universally.

The viaduct was restored in 1995–1996 and is a Category A listed structure since 1982. It bridges the River Irvine which forms the boundary between East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.

It was built for the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, opened in 1812; the line was a horse drawn plateway (although locomotive traction was tried later). The first viaduct was closed in 1846 when the railway line was realigned to ease the sharp curve for locomotive operation, and a wooden bridge was built a little to the south to carry the realigned route. This was in turn replaced by a third structure further south again, which carries trains at the present day.

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User Reviews

Keith Clark (2 years ago)
Great place for a wee walk and some good views.

Keith Clark (3 years ago)
Beautiful area and we'll restored viaduct

viv adderley (3 years ago)
A bit disappointing. We had been looking forward to the walk but someone has taken the car park, which is online as the start point of the walk, as part of there property!

James Kurth (3 years ago)
Nice historical landmark. Great scenery

John Simpson (5 years ago)
Historical viaduct in a rural setting. The main walk to the viaduct requires crossing a few styles so not ideal for people with mobility problems. Peaceful area full of wildlife there is a livestock field next to viaduct too with inquisitive cattle.

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