Almond Valley Viaduct

The Almond Valley Viaduct is a large Victorian railway viaduct on the boundary between West Lothian and Edinburgh. It is 622 metres long and has 36 masonry arches, making it one of the longest viaducts in Scotland. The viaduct was designed by engineer John Miller and built by John Gibb. It opened in 1842 to carry the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway over the River Almond. Locally it is known simply as 'The Arches'. The viaduct was designed to keep the railway as level as possible, with a maximum gradient of 1 in 880. This made the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway the most level main line in the UK at the time. It lies between Broxburn in West Lothian and Newbridge or Ratho on the edge of Edinburgh. Another nearby viaduct carries the same line over the A89 road, while a second viaduct a short distance south carries the North Clyde Line. The surroundings include the River Almond below and open land on either side. The structure is a Category A listed building, recognised for its engineering significance. Nearby properties are accessed from a road that leads off the A89 under one of the other viaducts. The area around the viaduct offers views of the arches and the river valley.