River Cart Aqueduct
8 minute walk from Hawkhead station · Glasgow and West Central
The River Cart Aqueduct, also known as the Blackhall Bridge, is a historic structure located in Paisley, Scotland. Originally opened in 1811 to carry the Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal over the White Cart Water, it later became a bridge for the Paisley Canal Line. Today, it is recognised as a Category A listed building by Historic Environment Scotland.
This site is significant as one of the world's earliest bridges to carry a public railway. It features a masonry segmental arch with a span of over 88 feet, making it likely the longest span masonry aqueduct from the British canal age. Notable engineers John Rennie and Thomas Telford were both involved in its creation.
Visitors can admire the impressive freestone masonry that rises 30 feet above the water. When viewing the bridge, you can see where it was widened from its original single-boat width to accommodate double tracks. The structure crosses the river at a slight skew, a unique design feature implemented to ease the sharp curvature of the original canal route.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Bridge
- Good for
- Architecture, Engineering landmarks, Industrial heritage, Railways
- Characteristics
- Georgian, Listed, Nationally significant, Riverside
- Admission
- Free
- Region
- Glasgow and West Central
Stations within walking distance
- Hawkhead station — 8 min walk, 0.6 km
- Paisley Canal station — 23 min walk, 1.8 km
- Paisley Gilmour Street station — 30 min walk, 2.5 km
- Crookston station — 35 min walk, 2.9 km
Other places near Hawkhead
- Paisly Thread Mill Museum — 11 min walk from the station
- Paisley Abbey — 20 min walk from the station
- Sma' Shot Cottages — 23 min walk from the station
- Paisley Central Library — 24 min walk from the station
- Paisley Museum — 27 min walk from the station
- Thomas Coats Memorial Church — 29 min walk from the station