Architecture Notes
Event ID 835986
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Architecture Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/835986
NT17NE 171 17091 75221
Grotto Bridge [NAT] (at NT 1709 7522)
OS 1:10,000 map, 1989.
For Craigiehall House (NT17NE 29.00 16671 75424) and related buildings, see NT17NE 29.00.
For adjacent and associated grotto (NT 17034 75239), see NT17NE 42.
For Cammo House (NT 1739 7470) and related buildings, see NT17SE 62.00.
A picturesque-style whinstone and sandstone bridge over the River Almond situated at the SW end of Riverside Road.
The bridge was built to similar style to the adjacent bath house/grotto and formerly provided access to Lennie Hill farmstead and the Temple (NT17SE 264). It is now a pedestrian only bridge.
The bridge measures about 30m on a single segmented arch and is 4.0m wide with splayed outer ends. There are two plaques, one on the W side, with the date 1757, the other 'UTILI DULCI', both on the outer face of the parapet wall. In addition, there is evidence of some decorative irtonwork at the S end and a small iron ring at the E side of the N end.
Some relatively recent repointing has been undertaken.
The ornamental bridge forms part of the group in the a similar style, the Grotto and Bath house (NT17NE 42) and was possibly designed by John or James Adam.
Visited by RCAHMS (DE, EL), 18 September 2007
The Grotto Bridge carries the Northern approach (from Craigiehall) into the Cammo Estate over the River Almond. The Grotto in question (NT17NE 42) is on the Craigiehall Estate.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 15 April 2008.