Newbattle Viaduct

Newbattle Viaduct is a stone railway bridge with 23 arches that spans across the River South Esk. The arches vary in their span widths and rise high above the water while also passing over the road beneath.

The bridge was built in 1847 and was part of the Edinburgh and Hawick Railway, which connected various Scottish towns. It was later integrated into the North British Railway system and has remained in use since then.

The structure reflects the Victorian era when railways reshaped entire landscapes. You can see the solid craftsmanship that was typical of Scottish engineers of that period.

The bridge is used daily by trains on the Borders Railway line and can be viewed from several locations. The best views are from the riverside or from the road below, where the full scale of the structure becomes apparent.

Each arch is slightly different in size, which allowed the engineers to adapt the bridge to the uneven landscape below. This variation in construction shows the practical solutions needed in the mid-19th century.

Location: Midlothian

Location: Newbattle

Inception: 1847

Made from material: rock

Part of: Waverley Route

GPS coordinates: 55.87200,-3.07718

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:08