Scheduled Monument

Union Canal, River Almond to River AvonSM8954

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
15/12/2003
Type
Industrial: bridge, viaduct, aqueduct; inland water; milestone, guide plate, direction post
Local Authority
West Lothian
Parish
Dalmeny, Linlithgow, Uphall
NGR
NT 03596 77034
Coordinates
303596, 677034

Description

The monument comprises that stretch of inland waterway, 13 miles (20km) long, forming part of the Union Canal falling within the bounds of the former county of West Lothian. The monument runs from the west end of the Lin's Mill Aqueduct over the River Almond (on the east) to the east end of the aqueduct over the River Avon (on the west).

The monument includes the entire length of canal in water together with the banks on either side, the towing path running along one side, all overflows, distance markers and kicking stones. In addition, the monument includes the following canal structures:

[1] Bridges 19 - 22;

[2] Bridge 23, including stable on its NE side;

[3] Aqueduct over the Caw Burn;

[4] Bridge 24;

[5] Aqueduct over the Beugh Burn;

[6] Bridge 25;

[7] Aqueduct over the Brox Burn;

[8] Wharf at Port Buchan, Broxburn;

[9] Bridges 28 - 30;

[10] Aqueduct over the Niddry Burn;

[11] Bridges 31 - 32;

[12] Aqueduct S of Bridge 33;

[13] Bridge 33;

[14] Aqueduct over the Swine Burn;

[15] Bridges 34 - 39;

[16] Aqueduct over the Pardovan Burn;

[17] Aqueduct at Philpstoun;

[18] Bridge 40 - 42;

[19] Aqueduct over B9080;

[20] Aqueduct at Staney Road, Linlithgow;

[21] Bridge 43 and adjacent stables;

[22] Bridge 44;

[23] Bridge 46;

[24] Aqueduct over the Mains Burn;

[25] Aqueduct at Kettlestoun Quarry;

[26] Bridge 47;

[27] Aqueduct over the Cauld Burn;

[28] Bridge 48.

The monument excludes all modern fences, walls and landing stages, as well as the following structures:

[1] Railway Bridge S of the M8;

[2] Culvert under the M8;

[3] British waterways office and yard beside Bridge 23;

[4] Road Bridge (A89);

[5] Road Bridge (A899);

[6] New road bridge (Bridge 27A) at Greendykes Road (B8020);

[7] Footbridge, E of Winchburgh Cottage;

[8] Footbridge, S of Bridge 32;

[9] Road Bridge (Bridge 45) at Preston Road, Linlithgow;

[10] Pipes W of Mains Burn Aqueduct;

[11] Stables near Woodcockdale Farm.

The area to be scheduled varies in width from 25m to 50m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because, as an integral part of the Union Canal, it represents a superlative achievement of Georgian civil engineering. Designed by the noted Scots engineer, Hugh Baird, and built 1818-23, its continuous watercourse, over 31 miles long, was without need of a single lock, and was graced by three major aqueducts inspired by another great Scots civil engineer, Thomas Telford.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records this monument as NS87NE 62.

References:

Lindsay J (1968) THE CANALS OF SCOTLAND, Newton Abbot.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 28/03/2024 16:37