The Woodroad Viaduct

One of the first features of the Woodroad Park is the magnificent Viaduct which has served as a backdrop to the park for almost 160 years.

In the middle of the 19th century, local industry was striving with the landscape covered in pits and an iron works at Lugar. These industries needed to ship their products in great bulk and quickly to serve other industries and consumers around the country. Railway was the quickest, best and easiest way to do this.

The Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway Company began a branch line and in 1850 it was extended south from the Muirkirk junction at Auchinleck to Cumnock linking with the line that was being constructed up Nithsdale from Dumfries but one major obstacle on this route was the Glen at Templand Mains which would require a large viaduct to be built. Step forward an unsung hero of Scottish Engineering – John Miller.