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Bucksburn Aqueduct Tunnel

Station Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire.

Culvert / Aqueduct (pre-1805).

An E-W trending culvert tunnel, in part the arch to a wide N-S trending canal aqueduct. It is a Category C listed structure that is remarkably well preserved due to its impressive granite masonry, with even the channel floor being paved with stone blocks. An extension at its W end allowed for the widening of Old Meldrum Road.

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"This former canal aqueduct was constructed between 1798 and 1805 and designed by John Rennie to carry the Aberdeenshire Canal and its associated traffic over the Bucks Burn as a navigable aqueduct. It was adapted in the late 19th century to be used a road bridge...

The canal aqueduct has been built of light grey granite, characteristic of the Aberdeenshire area, held together with a lime mortar. The later east-west extension is of loosely coursed rubble and field stones capped by dressed whinstone saddle copping... It is the only visible physical remains of the canal in the immediate area and has lost much of its original setting... The remains of the Bucks Burn aqueduct is one of only two surviving aqueducts related to the Aberdeenshire Canal and are also a rare surviving element of Scotland's historic canal infrastructure." [HES]

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This is one of three closely spaced culverts along the Bucks Burn, all of which are of comfortable walking proportions. The first (upstream) is a c.160m-long rectangular concrete tunnel (mid 20th Century) into which the stream sinks down some 'fish ladder' steps beside Howes Road S of the police station, and resurges at the N side of the dual carriageway. The water here was only a few inches deep when entered during low-water conditions (brown trout fingerling noted). From there the stream flows at surface for 70m before it enters a c.90m-long circular corrugated iron and rather uninteresting 2nd tunnel that passes below a hotel and is heavily corroded at water level. Only 15m separates its E portal with the W portal of the aqueduct. The surface section between the 1st & 2nd culverts, at the end of private gardens, is unpleasant and best avoided as it is deep in places with vegetation and domestic rubbish providing awkward obstacles.

Awkward access down to the aqueduct tunnel is easiest from the hotel grounds, but requires permission to enter the fenced-off property. The area around the E portal is inaccessible from above due to a combination of the burn being in a deep walled channel flanked by thick bushes and fencing. Access can be gained by walking 190m upstream from a wooden bridge at Mugiemoss, although even the burn along this section is complicated by a deep pool area (even in drought conditions) that was formerly a Mill Dam pond and requires climbing to skirt around some places. Much of this section of the burn is paved and reflects previous industrial use as a weir.

Alternative Names: Bucksburn Canal Aqueduct, Bucks Burn Aqueduct

Notes: The Aberdeenshire Canal ran from Aberdeen Harbour to Inverurie, eventually opening in 1805.

"This undertaking was projected in 1795 by Proprietors & others interested in the Garioch, (pronounced Geery) for the purpose of conveying to Aberdeen Harbour the Agricultural Produce of the District, Timber, Slates from the Hill of Foudlaud, etc, & carrying back shop goods, coals & lime...

An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1796 for carrying out the Work & for raising Capital of £20,000 in £50 Shares. From various causes, the whole amount was not raised & in 1801 another Act was obtained enabling the Company to raise another £20,000. In 1809 a 3rd Act was obtained to raise money for completing the Work to the best advantage of the Company & in all the Canal cost £44,000. The undertaking involved no Engineering difficulty. The Canal was 18-miles long, 17ft Wide, & 3ft-deep, though the width was afterwards increased to 23ft & the depth to nearly 4ft. There were no Tunnels, Deep Cuttings, or High Embankments; but there were 56-Bridges over it and 5-Culverts for Burns under it, which caused great expense." [Doric Columns]

Given length is approx, based on Google Map measurement tool. Given coordinates are for the aqueduct tunnel's E portal.

Access to the culvert tunnels is not recommended during high water conditions, or when heavy rain is forecast.

Hydrographic Feeds: Bucks Burn

Hydrographic Resurgences: Bucks Burn