1848 in Scotland
Events from 1848 in Scotland
Incumbents
Events
- 15 February – The Caledonian Railway is opened throughout between Edinburgh, Carstairs and Carlisle, completing a through rail route from London by the West Coast Main Line and providing the first service of through carriages between Scotland and England.[1]
- March – The Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway completes its Ballochmyle Viaduct, designed by John Miller. The main arch of 181 feet (55 m) span, carrying the rails 169 feet (52 m) above the River Ayr, is the world's longest masonry span. This section of line is opened to traffic on 9 August.[2]
- 22 May – The Scottish Central Railway opens to Perth, including the 1,220 yd (1,120 m) Moncrieff Tunnel on the southern approach to Perth.
- 19 August – Moray Firth fishing disaster: 100 fishermen lose their lives in a severe storm off the east coast.
- 8 September – Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort, first visit Balmoral Castle.
- Road bridge at Ashiestiel over the River Tweed, built by J. & T. Smith of Darnick, is completed. The arch, a 132 feet (40 m) semi-ellipse with a rise of 26 feet (7.9 m), is the longest rubble masonry span at this date.[3]
- Threipmuir Reservoir completed to serve Edinburgh.
- Dalmellington iron works opened.
- Scottish Building Society established as the Edinburgh Property Investment Company.
- Second cholera pandemic revives in Scotland.
- Dunedin in New Zealand is established by the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland through the Otago Association.
- Approximate date – The island of Handa is depopulated.[4]
Births
Deaths
The Arts
- August – Polish pianist-composer Frédéric Chopin begins a tour of Scotland.
- William Edmondstoune Aytoun's poetry collection Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers is published in Edinburgh.
- Robert Davidson's poetry collection Leaves from a Peasant's Cottage Drawer is published in Edinburgh by James Hogg.
See also
References