Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Laigh Milton Viaduct
AO Edited

Laigh Milton Viaduct

This abandoned bridge over the River Irvine may be the oldest surviving railway viaduct in the world.

Crosshouse, Scotland

Added By
Niall McCumesty
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Laigh Milton Viaduct   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Recreation of the origional “cast iron plateway”   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque commemorating the re-opening of the bridge   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

As with any such claims, there are inevitably a few asterisks. However, the Laigh Milton Viaduct is undoubtedly a contender for the title. An important part of railway history in Scotland, the impressive 270-foot-long, four-span structure was constructed in 1809 as part of the Duke of Portland's "horse-drawn wagonway."

It was built to carry coal from mines in Kilmarnock for sale to Ireland and beyond through a new port at Troon. The "railway" used horses to pull the wagons and used L-shaped plates to guide the trains. Today you can see a modern reconstruction of the original track on the bridge itself. An early George Stephenson steam locomotive was trialled on the line in 1816 and, later, the railway also provided passenger service.

The viaduct closed in 1846 when the railway was realigned to ease the sharp curves for the new-fangled steam locomotives. The viaduct was restored in the late 1990s and visitors are now able to walk over the structure.

Related Tags

Engineering Bridges Railroads

Know Before You Go

The viaduct is well signposted from the A71. Limited parking is available at a small layby. The path to the structure is overgrown in places but easy to follow. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

niallmccumesty

Published

August 23, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Laigh Milton Viaduct
Crosshouse, Scotland, KA2 0BP
United Kingdom
55.5988, -4.56684

Nearby Places

Seagate Castle

Irvine, Scotland

miles away

Eglinton Castle

Eglinton, Scotland

miles away

Kilwinning Abbey

Kilwinning, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Seagate Castle

Irvine, Scotland

miles away

Eglinton Castle

Eglinton, Scotland

miles away

Kilwinning Abbey

Kilwinning, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Related Places

  • Starrucca Viaduct circa 1920

    Susquehanna, Pennsylvania

    Starrucca Viaduct

    Constrained by time and topography, this civil engineering landmark was constructed 100 feet above Starrucca Creek over the course of a single year.

  • Goz Abu Goma Bridge

    Kosti, Sudan

    Goz Abu Goma Bridge

    One of the largest early 20th-century bridges in Sudan.

  • Gokteik Viaduct

    Nawnghkio, Myanmar (Burma)

    Gokteik Viaduct

    The highest bridge in Myanmar was once the tallest railway bridge in the world.

  • section of the bridge

    Orbost, Australia

    Snowy River Railway Bridge

    When it was built in 1916, this bridge was critical infrastructure for local farmers. Today, it's being restored for walking and biking.

  • Rolling Bridge

    Ulverston, England

    Ulverston Canal Rolling Bridge

    This unique style of bridge is the last of its kind and runs over the straightest canal in Britain.

  • Fairview Lift Bridge

    Cartwright, North Dakota

    The Fairview Lift Bridge

    A railroad lift bridge that was only lifted once and became obsolete before construction was finished.

  • Noojee Trestle Bridge

    Noojee, Australia

    Noojee Trestle Bridge

    This remnant of an old railroad is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria.

  • The bridge has been in the open position for decades.

    Oxford, England

    Rewley Road Swing Bridge

    The remnants of this unusual bridge await an uncertain fate.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.