Description

Samuel Barham, circa 1892. Cast-iron and timber mono-cable suspension bridge over the Abhainn a Ghlinne Ghill water on the Ardtornish Estate. 10 thin cast-iron hanger frames, suspended evenly along single iron bar, supported by cast-iron pipe A-frame pylons to either riverside. Pylons set on dressed stone piers with stone foundation into riverbank. Pylons supported by tensile cast-iron cables anchored to hillsides. Hanger frames linked by timber bearers, carrying crossways spanning timber slats to form deck. Timber walkways to either side linking deck to ground level on either side.

Statement of Interest

The suspension bridge was designed by Samuel Barham, the Clerk of works of the Ardtornish Estate, who oversaw much of the estate buildings in the late 19th century, and is thought to be one of the earliest surviving examples of a single cable suspension bridge in Europe: indeed few have ever been built. This particular design of bridge is claimed to have firstbeen invented by Fritz Leonhardt of Germany as late as 1960, yet drawings for the Ardtornish bridge as built are held by the Ardtornish Estate archive dated 1892, putting it nearly 70 years ahead of this recent claim.

The bridge survives almost entirely in its original condition apart from replacements to the tread timbers over the years. The central suspension member, presumed to be iron wire, is on closer inspection a solid iron rod.

Situated near Acharn farm, at the southern end of Loch Arienas.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17828079

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)