(27) Plate XI/a

                                                               Plate XI.

                                     GANNACHIE BRIDGE.

OVER the river Northesk, which runs through the county of Kincardine, and in the parish of Fettercairn,
is thrown this singular arch. This river runs through the grounds of Lord Adam Gordon, who has built
an elegant modern house on his estate in this parish; and has formed, with peculiar taste, a most beautiful
and romantic walk along its rocky banks. This bridge, which consists of one arch, is fifty-two feet over,
stands on two tremendous rocks, and is justly admired as a singular curiosity, both in regard to its
situation and construction. Beneath the bridge is a vast abyss, near fifty feet in depth, through which
the river sometimes rushes with overwhelming violence. Its rocky channel, with its lofty and precipitous
sides, fringed with wood, forms a series of picturesque and beautiful scenery both above and below the
bridge.

It would be wrong to omit an opportunity of making the name of the perfon known, at whose ex-
pense this bridge was erected: though Pennant asserts it was built by subscription. James Black, a
farmer in the parish of Edzel, agreed with a mason to lay down all the materials for three hundred merks,
Scotch. Black was an industrious and ingenious man, and built the parapet with his own hands. Al-
though three hundred merks is now but a small sum, yet it was a considerable one for a tenant to afford
seventy years ago. And such deeds deserve to be recorded. The bridge was built in 1732. At his death
Mr. Black left two hundred merks to the poor of the parish of Fettercairn, and fifty merks for the repair
of the bridge. Such is the account of the Rev. Robert Foote. This view was taken in 1799.