Eglinton Tournament Bridge

The surviving 'Tournament Bridge' was built to provide an appropriate crossing point to gain access to the far side of the Lugton Water and the Eglinton Kennels, circa 1845. 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 is said to have been designed by the architect David Hamilton; agreement to build the original three arched bridge was reached on 16 October 1799 by the 12th Earl of Eglinton and Hamilton's first recorded work dates from 1807. An Adam Russell is recorded as being partner to the agreement.[1] The first bridge is described by Aiton in 1811 as "a bridge of three arches, the piers of stone, and the arches of cast-iron, of the most elegant device, imitating the gothic style of the castle, with the family arms in the centre, now building about 100 yards below the castle, where the river is 102 feet broad".[2]

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.[3] The Tournament Bridge is B listed by Historic Scotland.[4]

The original Tournament Bridge and the procession in 1839. Note the three cast-iron arches, crossed finials, pinnacles, and the taller, broader towers, etc. characteristic of that bridge.[5]

A map showing the layout of the various features associated with the Eglinton Tournament. Note the lakes either side of the bridge,[6] formed around 1800.[7]

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 previous three arched Gothic bridge. A map of 1837 of Eglinton Castle, Grounds and Tilt yard of 1837 shows that the tilt yard was already in existence at this early date, but it is not recorded what its fate was after the tournament was over.[8]

The castle and Tournament Bridge in 1884

The 'new' Tournament Bridge served as a well used route across the Lugton Water, running through the Deer Park to Eglinton kennels (previously known as Laigh Moncur), especially on days when the Eglinton Hunt met at the castle itself. It was built by Messrs Connell of Dalgarven, using parts of the original bridge and possibly to a design by David Hamilton.[9] Messrs. Connell also built the new Kilwinning Tower to a design by David Hamilton.[9]

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

The original bridge, also with four pairs of miniature towers, but with three arches and four pinnacles, stood roughly 100 yards further up the river towards the castle; estate records show that it was built between 1802 and 1806[10] The original bridge is shown in several contemporary prints and maps as illustrated in the appropriate gallery of this article; the earliest is in William Aiton's book as published in 1811.[11][12] 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 according to Close.,[13][14] 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 also show a three arched Tournament bridge, with cast-iron arches, pinnacles and parapets which may have been re-used in the later 'new' bridge which survives today. David Hamilton is recorded on the 1811 engraving as being the architect. A splendid archway was planned to be built for the tournament at the bridge, however this not recorded in the engravings.[15]

The point at which the 'old' bridge crossed the Lugton was 102 feet broad and 100 yards downriver from the castle.[16] It had the Montgomerie coat of arms in the centre. Aiton describes it as being under construction in 1811.[16] 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.[17]

The Lord of the Tournament (Earl of Eglinton) and his esquires and retainers crossing the bridge.[18]

A local minister, the Rev. Lee Ker, confirms 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".[19] 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.[20] 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[21] 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[22] and at least as late as 1843.[23][24]

The Eglinton Bridge had what was probably light with oil lamps as can be seen in the 1811 engraving and the twin towers at either end were both joined by masonry work and not by cast-iron work as in the present day two arched bridge. The Gothic embellishments on the engravings of the 1839 Tournament show that the oil lamps were removed for the event.

The bridge in 1905

Eglinton Castle, circa 1830

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)[25] 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[26] 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; a severe 'Great Storm' in Ayrshire is recorded as having damaged or destroyed several buildings and structures in February 1856.[27] 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 create an extra arch of bricks in addition to the cast iron, may have weakened the structure, contributing to its eventual partial collapse.[17] The army used the bridge extensively with large lorries and even tanks crossing over it.

Numbering on the cast-iron arch sections

The bridge circa 1905

The lower courses of ashlar[28] on the bridge abutments and central pier were vermiculate.[29] 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. It is possible that the holes are related to the method of lifting them into position during construction work. 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 some form of lighting on the bridge.[17] 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 have been re-used from the older bridge, this being confirmed by the presence of ornate carving as infill within one of the larger 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). During work on the central pier it was found that some of the hidden infill work is vermiculate ashlar from the 'old' bridge.

The cast-iron sections of the arches are numbered and some of the sequence are absent, suggesting that these missing sections may have been damaged previously beyond repair and were not used therefore in the 'new' bridge.

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  Eglinton Castle bridge in 1811
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  A view of the castle and a wooden footbridge in 1815
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  Details of the wooden bridge
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  The castle and bridge in 1815. Three arches and a lake are depicted.
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  Eglinton Castle & Bridge. This again shows the original three arched bridge, lake, etc. Circa 1843.[30]
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  The old three arched bridge in 1865

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  Tournament Bridge and castle in 1876[31]
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  The bridge at its lowest ebb
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  The Tournament Bridge in the 1960s
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  The Tournament bridge as restored in the 1980s
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  Lugton Water flood conditions
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  The Tournament Bridge over the Lugton Water in 2007
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  The approach to the Tournament Bridge from the stables in 2007
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  One of the large bridge towers, probably recycled from the 1811 bridge
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  One of the smaller towers with subtle design and carving differences suggesting a later date of construction
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  Vermiculate ashlar stonework on the abutment of the bridge at water level
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  A reworked stone window ledge, possibly from Kilwinning Abbey, used in the weir at the central pier
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  Details of how one of the recycled towers has been incorporated into the new design
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  Hydrodemolition damage to the central pier
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  Recycled stones built into the weir beneath the bridge. One has the remains of two corbels and may well have come from the pre-1802 medieval castle.
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  A cut-water, probably from the 'old bridge' as it does not 'fit' and it was apparently abandoned near the 'new bridge'
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  A section of an 'old' bridge tower used in the weir
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  The weir made from sections of the old large 'towers'

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  A view across the damaged bridge
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  A view showing the partial collapse of the bridge
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  The bridge with temporary supports
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  Repair work underway, showing the shuttering for the concrete
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  The repaired bridge. Note the simple wooden handrail and the remaining exposed iron arch.
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  A view of the whole of the repaired bridge. Note the army personnel, children fishing, etc.

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  Work begins
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  A hydrodemolition operative in protective clothing
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  A cast-iron cross strut holding the arches together so they do not move sideways
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  Detail of the cast-iron arches
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  Detail of the Gothic ornamentation on the cast-iron arches. Note the cracks in the ironwork.
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  The concrete decking prior to hydrodemolition and the exposure of the cast-iron arches
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  The concrete removed and the cast-iron arches exposed
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  Fully exposed cast-iron arches
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  Details of the central pier's construction
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  Ready for painting
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  The white protective paint and the central pier
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  Repairs underway to the central pier and cutwaters
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  An old iron stone block binding. These expanded as they rusted and ironically led to the loosening of the stonework.
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  At work on the stone for the central pier. Note the craft tools
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  Marking out a block before cutting out the design
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  Hydrodemolition damage to a sandstone block from the bridge
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  The load-bearing frame. March 2009
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  Kenny Working – finishing touches at the project site
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  A possible Mason's Bench from the 1845 bridge construction
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  The completed bridge in June 2009
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  The restored bridge being used by the NAC Ranger Service