Dundee, Finlathen Aqueduct

An aqueduct containing cast iron pipes crosses the Dighty burn, and at one time a mill dam, on nine stone arches, conveying the Monikie water supply to Stobsmuir water works, 1845-8. When first built the pressure of the water as it arrived without scaling back its momentum resulted in burst pipes, so this was rectified by some intermediate regulating points such as at Gagie and Clepington Road. This is probably the largest stone aqueduct for public water supply in Scotland, as Glasgow’s 1850s Katrine system used iron troughs.

M Watson, 2013

NO 42052 33060 Nine days of work were carried out in partnership with the Dighty Connect community initiative. Field work and other activities were focused along the route of the Dighty Burn which runs through the N and E of the City of Dundee. This formed part of Archaeology Scotland’s Attainment through Archaeology programme which strives to use archaeology and local heritage to help young people develop new skills and assist in their development outside the formal classroom setting. Three days of graffiti recording, photographic recording and monument condition reports were focused on the area around the Finlathen aqueduct and the banks of the Dighty Burn.

Vegetation clearance, graveyard recording and a baseline survey were carried out at Old Mains Cemetery. The results were delivered by the young people in a PowerPoint presentation.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Dighty Connect and Archaeology Scotland

Cara Jones - Archaeology Scotland

(Source: DES Vol 20)