Laigh Milton Viaduct
near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
The first viaduct here was built for the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, a 10-mile horse-drawn cast iron plateway. It was officially opened on 6 July 1812, although it carried passengers from 1811. The Chief Engineer for the line was William Jessop, and the Resident Engineer was Thomas Hollis. The stonemason was probably John Simpson (John Simpson (1755-1815)?). The Proprietor was the 4th Duke of Portland. It was used briefly by 'The Duke', a Stephenson locomotive, c.1816. (Information from display board on viaduct).
1846 It was decided to ease some of the sharp curves on the line to make it suitable for ordinary locomotive use. This required a new viaduct to cross the River Irvine. It was built of wood, and lasted until 1865, when it was replaced by the present 23-arch viaduct.
The original viaduct survived in ruinous condition. In 1992 the Laigh Milton Viaduct Conservation Project was formed, with the objective of conserving the structure. Restoration was completed in 1996.
See Canmore entry and Wikipedia entry.