We went to see the viaduct, now disused but built to serve the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway. The railway opened in 1861 and just here travelled through quite remote countryside. The viaduct, 300 yards long, spanned the Big Water of Fleet.
It has 20 arches and is made of brick and stone. In 1940 the piers were strengthened and the two sides of the structure were tied together under the arches.
Close to, the whole structure is very impressive and looks huge when you stand next to it! Notices tell you not to stand under the arches as there is a danger of falling bricks. The evidence is there for all to see!
During the Second World War millions of tonnes of ordnance came into the UK via Cairnryan and travelled across the viaduct. The railway also helped to transport US troops. However it failed to survive the Beeching cuts and the railway closed in 1965.
The viaducts smaller 9-arch sister - Little Water of Fleet - was blown up by the army!
It was a lovely afternoon, although still a little breezy but the birds were singing their hearts out. We heard/saw blackcap, chaffinch, dunnock, great tit, house sparrow, pied wagtail, skylark, stonechat, wheatear and willow warblers. House martins, swallows and swifts were everywhere, swooping and diving backwards and forwards looking for insects. We even heard a cuckoo - and then another replying to the first! Such a shame we didn't see those!
The Big Water of Fleet doesn't look all that big now but it was a very peaty colour the day we were there.
There is a SNH Visitor Centre (Dromore) just along the road before you get to the viaduct. It has a lot of information about the flora, fauna and geology of the area. It also tells you about the hidden sculptures by Matt Baker that can be seen on the walks around the area. Erratic, Heart, Ocean, Hush, and Scene Shifter are accompanied by poems written by Mary Smith.
We did also find a sculptured seat in the picnic area, by Ali Jeffries - aptly named the cloud seat.
A wild and remote area, that 18000 years ago was a glacier, now supports a huge range of flora and fauna. Open access and walks let visitors explore their surroundings. There were very few people about on the day we were there but it certainly looks worthy of more exploration.
I was trying to remember this one the other day, said to Linda we need to get to the place with the big railway bridge, but couldn't quite get the name. On the list.
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