Eglinton Tournament Bridge

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Eglinton Tournament Bridge
Eglinton Tournament Bridge
Tournament Bridge and castle in 1876[1]
Official name Tournament Bridge
Carries Pedestrians
Crosses Lugton Water
Locale Eglinton Country Park
Maintained by North Ayrshire Council
Historic Scotland
Design Gothic
Opening date c. 1845
Coordinates 55°38′41″N 4°40′12″W / 55.6446, -4.6699Coordinates: 55°38′41″N 4°40′12″W / 55.6446, -4.6699

The Eglinton Tournament Bridge is a bridge located within Eglinton Country Park near Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The bridge crosses the Lugton Water a short distance northwest of Eglinton Castle (OS ref: NS32064224) and was named after the Eglinton Tournament of 1839. The castle and surrounding grounds were once home to the Montgomerie family, Earls of Eglinton and chiefs of the Clan Montgomery.

Contents

[edit] History

See also: Eglinton Castle

[edit] The Tournament Bridges

The surviving Tournament Bridge was built to provide an appropriate crossing point to gain access to the far side of the Lugton Water. Archibald Montgomerie, the 13th Earl of Eglinton had the bridge built in a Gothic style, using cast iron for the arches, pinnacles, etc. and stone for the two pairs of miniature ornamental towers at either end. These towers have subtle design differences (See photographs) which are significant in the context of the extended history of the bridge. This 'Tournament' bridge was designed by the architect David Hamilton. The bridge's cast iron parapet is a repetition of the pointed Gothic arch design of the castle, surmounted by a battlement, and relieved in the centre with foliated pinnacles.[2] The Tournament Bridge is B listed by Historic Scotland.[3]

The original Tournament Bridge and the procession in 1839. Note the three cast iron arches, crossed finials, pinnacles, and taller towers, etc. characteristic of that bridge.
The original Tournament Bridge and the procession in 1839. Note the three cast iron arches, crossed finials, pinnacles, and taller towers, etc. characteristic of that bridge.[4]
A map showing the layout of the various features associated with the Eglinton Tournament. Note the lakes either side of the bridge, formed around 1800.
A map showing the layout of the various features associated with the Eglinton Tournament. Note the lakes either side of the bridge[5], formed around 1800.[6]

The 1839 Eglinton Tournament was held on a meadow or holm at a loop in the Lugton Water. Most of the holm no longer exists, the excavations in this area having provided gravel and sand for the construction of the Kilwinning bypass and leaving behind an excavation pit which is now known as Eglinton Loch. The Knights on horseback and their retinue reached the tilt yard ('C' on the map) via an enclosed ride ('G' on the map), whilst the guests and visitors made their way to the stands via the route marked 'F' on the map illustrated. Both groups crossed over the Gothic bridge. A map of 1837 of Eglinton Castle, Grounds and Tilt yard of 1837 shows that the tilt yard was already in extistence at this early date, but it is not recorded what its fate was after the tournament was over.[7]

The castle and Tournament Bridge in 1884.
The castle and Tournament Bridge in 1884.

The Tournament Bridge served as a well used route across the Lugton Water, running through the deer park to the Eglinton kennels (previously Laigh Moncur), especially on days when the Eglinton Hunt met at the castle itself.

The 'old' Tournament Bridge converted artificially to two arches, etc for comparison.
The 'old' Tournament Bridge converted artificially to two arches, etc for comparison.

A previous bridge, also with two miniature towers, but with three arches and four pinnacles, stood roughly 100 yards further up the river towards the castle,[8] as shown in several contemporary prints and maps as illustrated in the appropriate gallery of this article.[9] It was this bridge that was used at the Eglinton Tournament as can be seen from the illustrations of the event, however the name was passed on to the 'new' bridge constructed downstream of it. No clear sign of this three arched bridge remains, a weir having been built at its old position; the 'old' bridge was constructed in 1811[10][11], therefore around the time of the 'new' castle being built in 1801/2 and also when the grounds were being laid out by Tweedie. Surviving architects drawings show the designs for a three arched bridge and as stated, contemporary prints of the Eglinton Tournament show a three arched Tournament bridge, with cast iron arches, pinnacles and parapets which may have been re-used in the later bridge which survives today. The miniature castle towers on the demolished bridge are shown as each being surmounted by a double cross, but these do not figure on the 'new' Tournament Bridge; the 'old' bridge therefore may have been specially embellished for the tournament with temporary additions.

A view of the Tournament Bridge at its 'new' site. The level of the weir was lower at this time and was raised at a later date using randomly chosen stones to raise the water level.
A view of the Tournament Bridge at its 'new' site. The level of the weir was lower at this time and was raised at a later date using randomly chosen stones to raise the water level.[12]

A local minister, the Rev. Lee Ker, clinches the issue of which bridge was used at the tournament by relating in his book on Kilwinning that the tournament procession passed over the Water of Lugton by what is now called the Tournament Bridge, but which was then situated about 100 yards nearer the Castle and had three arches instead of two.[13] This distance coincides with a weir today and an old path from the castle leads directly to it. Dane Love states that the bridge used by the tournament had been built by the 12th Earl in 1811.[14] In contemporary reports of the tournament no special mention of the bridge is made, suggesting that it was already a well established feature of the estate by that time and not an extravagant new feature specially built for the event.

Lauchlan[15] confuses the issue by stating that an older bridge with three arches existed 100 yards up from the present one, however he states that the present bridge was built for the tournament. The old three arched bridge in fact still existed in 1840[16] and at least as late as 1843.[17]

[edit] Construction of the 'new' Tournament Bridge

The new bridge may have been erected by the 13th Earl at some time between 1843 and 1856 as part of the total re-modelling of the course of the Lugton Water which had been first undertaken by the 12th Earl (1740 - 1819)[18] and which included the alteration of its course, the removal of the lakes or ponds and the creation of several weirs. The Lugton Water is liable to severe floods[19] and damage to the easily broken cast iron work by the force of the current, may have been a reason for its reconstruction at a different site. The first Ordnance Survey map of 1856 shows the two arched bridge in position, a weir at the position of the old bridge and by this time the old lake had gone, replaced by a canalised Lugton Water with several weirs.

Ironically the strengthening work done on the 'new' bridge to produce an extra arch of bricks in addition to the cast iron, may have weakened the structure, contributing to its eventual partial collapse.[20]

The lower courses of ashlar[21] on the bridge abutments and central pier were vermiculate.[22] At some point the height of the weir beneath had been raised using an odd assortment of re-used stonework; this would have increased the depth and extent of the waters behind it. The central pier and the original weir had used reworked but re-cycled stone, probably from Kilwinning Abbey; as illustrated by a stone window surround recovered during restoration work (See illustration).

Examination of the top of the outer towers shows that something was attached to the centres, the 'plug' hole still being present. The larger towers are capped with cement and nothing is therefore visible. During restoration work (2008) electricity power cables or possibly gas pipes were located leading to the bridge and they may have served lights on top of some or all of the towers.[23] These are not visible in the available illustrations. The Eglinton estate had its own gasworks and later its own power station, so it would have been natural to provide lighting on the bridge. The old OS maps show that by 1897 the gas works had been established here to supply the castle and offices, whilst by 1911 this had been replaced by an electricity works; the present day park workshop.

The larger and taller inner towers appear to have been re-used from the older bridge, this being confirmed by the presence of ornate carving which is now obscured by the low wall leading to them from the smaller towers. The curtain walls and the smaller and lower outer towers are made from a different type of stone and, as stated, the towers have a number of architectural differences, suggesting that they were made specifically for the 'new' Tournament Bridge (See photographs).

[edit] Older bridges gallery

A view of the castle and a wooden footbridge in 1815.
Details of the wooden bridge.
The castle and bridge in 1815. Three arches and a lake are depicted.
Eglinton Castle & Bridge. This again shows the original three arched bridge, lake, etc. Circa 1843.[24]

[edit] The 'new' Tournament Bridge

The Tournament bridge as restored in the 1980s.
Flood conditions.
The Tournament Bridge over the Lugton Water in 2007.
The approach to the Tournament Bridge from the stables in 2007.
A benchmark on one of the bridge towers.
One of the large bridge towers, probably recycled from the 1811 bridge.
One of the smaller towers with subtle design and carving differences suggesting a later date of construction.
Vermiculate ashlar stonework on the abutment of the bridge at water level.
A reworked stone window ledge, possibly from Kilwinning Abbey, used in the weir at the central pier.
Details of how one of the recycled towers has been incoroprated into the new design.
A crude attempt to 'marry' one of the older towers with the new bridge.

[edit] The Tournament Bridge and WWII

The Eglinton Castle Estate was requisitioned during World War II and during this occupation the Tournament Bridge partly collapsed, possibly due to alterations which had been made earlier by the Eglinton Estate, involving supposed strengthening using brickwork, as revealed during the 2008 restoration work.[25] To save the bridge from total collapse the army removed the cast iron outer coverings and the pinnacles, encasing the remaining cast iron arches in concrete as can be seen from contemporary photographs and as further revealed during restoration work. It is not known what happened to the pinnacles and cast iron coverings. It had been thought that they were safely in storage, however enquiries have led to nothing.[25]

[edit] Repair work

A view showing the partial collapse of the bridge.

Repair work underway, showing the shuttering for the concrete.

The repaired bridge. Note the simple wooden handrail and the remaining exposed iron arch.

A view of the whole of the repaired bridge. Note the army personnel and lots of children fishing, etc.

[edit] Other estate bridges

John Ainslie's 1790 map showing pleasure garden on the opposite side of the Lugton Water to the castle in what became part of the deer park.
John Ainslie's 1790 map showing pleasure garden on the opposite side of the Lugton Water to the castle in what became part of the deer park.
John Ainslie's 1790 map showing pleasure garden on the opposite side of the Lugton Water to the castle in what became part of the deer park.
John Ainslie's 1790 map showing pleasure garden on the opposite side of the Lugton Water to the castle in what became part of the deer park.

Originally the river would have been crossed by simple fords, however by the 18th century ornamental pleasure gardens had been formed and these were partly situated in what later became the deer park. No signs of these gardens are now visible, apart from Crop marks on aerial photographs taken around the end of the Second World War. A bridge was necessary to give access to the ornamental gardens and one is indicated on John Ainslie's map dated 1790, crossing the Lugton Water close to the castle itself. A small wooden bridge across the Lugton Water is shown in an illustration from around 1815, however this may not have been across the Lugton Water. Thomson's map of 1828 (See illustration) indicates a bridge crossing the Lugton Water at the castle where the three arched bridge was and a drive starting off at the position of the present day bridge, which may have been a ford at the time. Another bridge is suggested further upstream and close to the castle.[26]

William Roy's 1747 - 55 map showing a bridge only upstream of the castle, roughly where Thomson also shows a bridge in his 1828 map.
William Roy's 1747 - 55 map[27] showing a bridge only upstream of the castle, roughly where Thomson also shows a bridge in his 1828 map.
John Thomson's 1828 map showing the position of the old Tournamaent bridge. Here a drive and a possible building are located at the site of the 'new' Tournament Bridge.
John Thomson's 1828 map showing the position of the old Tournamaent bridge. Here a drive and a possible building are located at the site of the 'new' Tournament Bridge.[26]

The restored Stables Bridge lies on the Kilwinning Lodge drive and just downstream from it stood a wooden bridge which had high quality stonework on both of the abutments, much of which survive. This bridge gave access to the kitchen walled gardens and glasshouse ranges and lasted into the mid 1900s. The Suspension Bridge built by the army in the 19890s on behalf of the country park lies just below the weir beside the ruined gazebo. Lady Jane's cottage had a wooded pedestrian footbridge of which no sign remains.

The restored Diamond Bridge lies upstream near the Eglinton Loch and continues to give access to the old Toll Road from Irvine to Kilwinning via Fergushill. This bridge was named after the nearby Black Diamond mine, the spoil heap or bing of which still remains rear the Chapelholm Gate. The colliery name in turn was associated with one of the 13th Earl's favourite horses, Black Diamond.

[edit] A Gallery of the other bridges

The suspension bridge over the Lugton Water.
The suspension bridge and cascade weir.
Lady Jane's cottage with its footbridge across the Lugton Water.
The Diamond Bridge undergoing restoration.
The Chapelholm or 'Diamond' bridge.
The Stable's Bridge.
An abutment of the old Walled Garden bridge. Iron work is embedded in the structure, which was faced with high quality vermiculate ashlar stonework.
A vermiculate[22] stone from the ornate Walled Garden bridge.
The castle or Laundry footbridge.
The view across the Laundry or Castle Bridge.

[edit] Lugton Water

The substantial weir on the Lugton Water near the Suspension Bridge in 2008.
The substantial weir on the Lugton Water near the Suspension Bridge in 2008.
The Weir on the Lugton Water at the site of the old three arched Tournament Bridge.
The Weir on the Lugton Water at the site of the old three arched Tournament Bridge.

The Lugton Water was diverted and altered several times, for example in the 1790s its course was altered by the 12th Earl (1740 - 1819)[28] to run behind the Garden Cottage, rather than in front of it. The width was also changed at times, for instance five ponds or lakes were created by large weirs at one stage; the one at the Tournament Bridge is clearly visible in older prints of the 1840s (see illustrations) shown.[29]

The size, shape and position of the various weirs was altered several times, latterly by Clement Wilson of the canning factory. One of the weirs lies directly beneath the restored Tournament Bridge. The one below the site of the old Bowling Green and Robert Burns's garden was 'U' shaped, holding back sufficient water at one time to form a lake with a small island bearing a single yew tree. The 1938 OS map shows no fewer than seven weirs between the castle and the present day Suspension Bridge.

[edit] The Clement Wilson gardens

The Clement Wilson Gardens in the 1970s.
The Clement Wilson Gardens in the 1970s.

In 1948 the Trustees of the late 16th Earl sold most of the remaining parts of the estate to Robert Howie and Sons of Dunlop for £24,000[30][31] and in the 1950s the Wilson family purchased the Tournament Bridge, old offices, castle ruins, and other land from Robert Howie and Sons.

Clement Wilson, the food processing factory owner, established the Clement Wilson Foundation which opened part of the grounds to the public, spending around £400,000 on partially restoring the Tournament Bridge, consolidating the castle ruins, planting trees, landscaping, making paths, creating a rockery and waterfall feature, etc.

[edit] 2008 restoration

The bridge partially dismantled and half way through hydrodemolition during renovation in May 2008.
The bridge partially dismantled and half way through hydrodemolition during renovation in May 2008.
The temporary earth dam in the Lugton Water.
The temporary earth dam in the Lugton Water.

The restoration of the Tournament Bridge involves a faithful and historic renovation of the Tournament Bridge, based on surviving documentary evidence. Historic Scotland requires a ‘faithful restoration where all details are replicated as closely as possible in terms of material, design and construction’.

Close up of a repair to the cracked cast iron.
Close up of a repair to the cracked cast iron.

The existing concrete arches are to be removed as is the infill above. The arches will be replaced with the existing refurbished cast iron arch sections and new cast iron fascia sections, which will restore the original width of the structure. A secondary stainless steel pedestrian parapet is to be provided immediately behind the ballustrading. The load bearing capacity of the bridge will be carried by a modern steel structure concealed beneath the deck surface which will be timber, as this was considered to be the original material.[32]

The current timber parapets will be replaced with cast iron sections to match the original items. All of the cast iron elements are to be fabricated and fitted by the Ballantine Bo'ness Iron Company to restore the splendour of the original structure.[33]

The restoration involved hydrodemolition to expose the cast iron arches through removing the concrete in which they had been embeded. This process used very high pressure water jets and confirmed the poor structural integrity of the iron arches. They were not however intended to be load bearing in the restored bridge and an upside was the degree of Gothic artwork found to exist on the arches.[25]

The estimated total project cost is £720k. Historic Scotland have indicated that they would be able to contribute some £161k, around £5k will be provided in kind, and the shortfall of £354k was the subject of the successful grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.[34]

[edit] 2008 restoration gallery

Work begins.
A hydrodemolition operative in protective clothing.
A cast iron cross strut holding the arches together so they do not move sideways.
Detail of the cast iron arches.
Detail of the Gothic ornamentation on the cast iron arches. Note the cracks in the ironwork.
The concrete decking prior to hydrodemolition and the exposure of the cast iron arches.
The concrete removed and the cast iron arches exposed.
Brickwork exposed between the cast iron arches.
Fully exposed cast iron arches.
Details of the central pier's construction.
Ready for painting.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dobie, James (1876). Pont's Cuninghame Pub. John Tweed.
  2. ^ Millar, A. H. (1885). The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire.' Reprinted by The Grimsay Press (2004). ISBN 1-84530-019x. P. 74.
  3. ^ Historic gardens
  4. ^ Aikman, James (1839). An account of the tournament at Eglinton, revised and corrected by several of the knights : with a biographical notice of the Eglinton family to which is prefixed a sketch of chivalry and of the most remarkable Scottish tournaments. Pub. Edinburgh : H. Paton, Carver and Gilder. Facing P. 4.
  5. ^ Tait's Edinburgh Magazine. November 1839.
  6. ^ Stoddart, John (1801). Remarks on Local Scenery and Manners in Scotland during the years 1799 and 1800. Pub. William Miller, London. P. 313.
  7. ^ Anstruther, Ian (1986). The Knight and the Umbrella. An Account of the Eglinton Tournament 1839. Pub. Alan Sutton. Gloucester. ISBN 0-86299-302-4. P. III.
  8. ^ Ness, J. A. (1969 - 70). Landmarks of Kilwynnyng. Privately produced. P. 29.
  9. ^ Aitken, Robert (1829). The Parish Atlas of Ayrshire - Cunninghame. Pub. W. Ballantine. Edinburgh.
  10. ^ Close, Rob (1992), Ayrshire Buildings. Royal Incorporated Architects of Scotland. ISBN 1873-190-069. P. 64.
  11. ^ Ayrshire Roots
  12. ^ North Ayrshire Council, Roads and Transportation services. 2008
  13. ^ Ker, Rev William Lee (1900). Kilwinning Pub. A. W. Cross, Kilwinning. P. 326.
  14. ^ Love, Dane (2003). Ayrshire: Discovering a County. Pub. Fort. Ayr. ISBN 0-9544461-1-9. P. 54.
  15. ^ Lauchlan, Roy (1989). Questions & Answers about the Montgomerie Family and the 1839 Tournaments. Pub. Kilwinning & District Preservation Society. P. 12.
  16. ^ Leighton, John M. (1850).Strath Clutha or the Beauties of the Clyde. Pub. Joseph Swan Engraver. Glasgow. Facing P. 229.
  17. ^ The Ayrshire Wreath MDCCCXLIII (1843): a collection of original pieces, in prose and verse, chiefly by native authors, on subjects relating to Ayrshire. Pub. H. Crawford & Son. Kilmarnock. Facing Title page.
  18. ^ Landscape of the Knights. The Eglinton Story. Rub. Irvine Development Corporation. 1992. P. 27.
  19. ^ The Eglinton Archive.
  20. ^ North Ayrshire Council, Roads and Transportation services. 2008
  21. ^ - Ashlar
  22. ^ a b - Vermiculate stonework
  23. ^ North Ayrshire Council, Roads and Transportation services. 2008
  24. ^ The Ayrshire Wreath MDCCCXLIII (1843):a collection of original pieces, in prose and verse, chiefly by native authors, on subjects relating to Ayrshire. Pub. H. Crawford & son. Kilmarnock. Facing Title page
  25. ^ a b c North Ayrshire Council, Roads and Transportation services. 2008
  26. ^ a b Thomson, John (1828). A Map of the Northern Part of Ayrshire.
  27. ^ Roy, William (1747 - 55) Military Map of Scotland.
  28. ^ Landscape of the Knights. The Eglinton Story. Rub. Irvine Development Corporation. 1992. P. 27.
  29. ^ Montgomeries of Eglinton. Ayr Division. Strathclyde Department of Education. P. 94.
  30. ^ Landscape of the Knights. The Eglinton Story. Rub. Irvine Development Corporation. 1992. P. 12.
  31. ^ Sharp, Cameron (2007). Eglinton Country Park Management Plan for 2007 - 2011. North Ayrshire Council. P. 5.
  32. ^ Minutes of North Ayrshire Council Executive Committee
  33. ^ The Irvine Herald, Friday 25th April, 2008. P. 10.
  34. ^ North Ayrshire Council minutes and the Tournament Bridge restoration
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