Big Water of Fleet Viaduct

Today's the day ………………………. to walk the line

In remote countryside to the north of Gatehouse, spanning Great Water of Fleet, is this magnificent 20-arch, 300-yd long viaduct built in brick and stone. It was part of the Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Railway, often known as the Port Road, which linked Stranraer to Castle Douglas, where it connected on to the line to Dumfries. It was authorised by an Act of Parliament in August 1857 and opened in March 1861.

During the Second World War, the port of Cairnryan was purpose-built as No.2 Military Port with three harbour piers and a railway linking it with Stranraer. Millions of tonnes of ordnance and supplies came into the UK, much of it being transported over the viaduct. Then, in 1943, the railway also helped to move US troops.  Like so many others, the line failed to survive the Beeching cuts, closing on 14th June 1965. The viaduct's smaller 9-arch sister - Little Water of Fleet - was blown up by the Army as part of a training exercise.

In 1935, Big reputedly starred in Alfred Hitchcock's film version of John Buchan's thriller 'The 39 Steps'.  It also made an appearance in 'Five Red Herrings',  a 1975 TV outing for Dorothy L Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey.

It is hoped that it will eventually play host to an official footpath …………...