Culloden Moor Viaduct
The longest masonry viaduct in Scotland and one of the most spectacular, built in 1898 it is listed Grade A.
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Leanach Farm, Culloden Moor, 1V2 5EJ
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The railway line southward from Inverness towards Perth makes a large curve from an eastward to westward direction soon after leaving Inverness and at the centre of this curve crosses the river Nairn on Scotland's longest masonry viaduct. The railway from Inverness to Aviemore was opened in 1898 as a short-cut avoiding the original route by way of Forres.
The viaduct stands to the east of the famous battlefield and is 529 m. long. It consists of 28 semi-circular arches, each of 14 m. (45 ft.) span. 36 m. (118 ft.) above the river there is a 30 m. (100 ft.) span arch. It is built in rough local red sandstone and its height and lack of adornment give it a great sense of strength. It has been hailed as the greatest work of Murdoch Paterson, the Chief Engineer to the Highland Railway.
Photo Credit: David Maclennan / Culloden Viaduct /
By road: It is best seen from the battlefield off B 9006 or from Leanach Farm on the south side of the river off B 851.
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Conolly, W. Philip, British Railways Pre-Grouping Atlas And Gazetteer, Ian Allan Publishing, ISBN 0-7110-0320-3 (1958/97)
Ross, David. The Highland Railway. ISBN 0 7524 3479 9 (2005)
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Thomas, J. and Turnock,D. A Regional History of the Railways of Britain, North of Scotland. ISBN 0 946537 03 8 (1993)
Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts