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Francis William Staines , JP 1800-1876
Dalmally Bridge & River Orchy Argyll & Bute, Scotland

inscribed " Bridge of Dalmally" a page from an album inscribed in the frontispage  "F W Staines 3 Uplands St Leonards on Sea"

pencil and watercolour
17.50 x 26 cm.
Notes

The bridge over the River Orchy at Dalmally is a rather beautiful three arch stone bridge, gracefully spanning this tempestuous river. The three wide arches require two piers to sit in the river channel, and evidently these had become dangerous at some point in the past as they are now encased in massive concrete cutwaters. The expert analysis is that this work was carried out in the mid 20th Century, and that the two outer arches were partially rebuilt at the same time, although the central arch appears to be original.Until the 1930s it carried the A85 road from Tyndrum to Oban. However, with the construction of the new Kilchurn Bridge, the A85 was re-routed along part of the former A819, and the old road, including Dalmally Bridge, was given the B8077 number.The bridge sits on the old Military Road from Tyndrum to Oban, which suggests that it may have been built by Major Caulfeild who was responsible for the roads construction. However, it is decidedly different from most of the other large bridges attributed to him, and it was in fact built in 1780-81 by Lewis Piccard.

Dalmally (Scottish GaelicClachan an Dìseirt or Dail Mhàilidh) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is near the A85 road and is served by Dalmally railway station. Former Labour Party leader John Smith was born in Dalmally in 1938. The village is the location of the Craig Lodge Community Family House of Prayer, a Roman Catholic retreat house. The charity Scottish International Relief, also known as Mary's Meals, is based in Dalmally. Glenorchy Camanachd, a shinty team, play their home games in the village at Mart Park.

Glenorchy Parish Church stands on an island site between the rivers Orchy and Orchy Bheag near the village. The category A listed building, constructed 1810–1811 on the site of at least two earlier churches, is a rare example of an octagonal plan with adjoining tower. The little-altered, white-harled (roughcast) church has been restored to its original appearance in recent years. The site is probably early Christian in origin, and is associated with Saint Conan. The large churchyard contains examples of medieval grave-slabs in the 'West Highland' style, which may have originally covered the graves of early chiefs of the Clan MacGregor and their relatives. They show warriors in contemporary armour, interlace and other motifs.

While there are a few more modern houses, most of the residents' homes are stone cottages. One of the oldest buildings in Dalmally is the house above the station square. It was once rundown and old but has now been restored.

Kilchurn Castle, dating from the 15th century and now maintained by Historic Scotland, stands on a peninsula (formerly an island) in Loch Awe, 2 miles (3 km) west of the village, and is open to the public in summer.

Dalmally Bridge over the River Orchy was built by Ludovic Picard, an architect who worked for Lord Breadalbane. In 1780–81 he built various edifices at the western end of the Breadalbane Estates: Dalmally Bridge, the Bridge of Awe, which was swept away in 1992, Dalmally Inn, a renovated church, and several other houses in the area. Dalmally Bridge was built to make movements of cattle and troops easier: it was on the military road between Tyndrum and Oban. Since 1780, Dalmally Bridge has been strengthened and repaired. It withstands the force of the river in spate, and is a favourite spot from which to look for trout and salmon.

There are four castles on Loch Awe: from north to south, Kilchurn (the best-known), Fraoch Eilean, Innisconnel, and Fincharn. There may also have been a castle near where Castle Farm now stands. There was also a castle at Achallader, at the head of Glen Orchy. The castles on Loch Awe were once served by boats, probably galleys - the island near Innisconnel is Innis-Sea-Rhamach, the island of the six-oared galleys. Kilchurn was built, probably in 1437, by Sir Colin Campbell, the First Laird of Glenurquhay. Fraoch Eilean is a 13th-century hall house with a defensive wall, granted to Gillechrist MacNachdan by Alexander III in 1267. Innisconnel was built by the Campbells of Argyll, then taken by the MacDougalls, and finally granted again to the Campbells by Robert the Bruce, whom they had helped in his battles. Fincharn Castle is probably 13th century. According to legend, soon after it was built it was burned down in a quarrel between rival families, and has never been inhabited since. Only Kilchurn is easily accessible. Fincharn requires permission from the farm, while Fraoch Eilean and Innisconnel need boats.

 

Artist biography

Francis William Staines  was the last of a family of merchants from the City of London. Not only was he a successful businessman but he possessed a large independent fortune, such that he could devote his time to the cultivation of his talents in music and art. He was a brilliant amateur violinist, and also loved to spend much of his time painting. His daughter Amelia and her mother accompanied Mr Staines as he travelled throughout the country finding subjects for his painting. One area of the country that they visited frequently was Scotland and the Lake District, and Amelia grew particularly fond of the dramatic landscape of the Fells. Skelwith Bridge with the view of the hills around it 43 was one of her father’s favourite scenes. He painted landscapes and maritime paintings , exhibited 11 works at the RA including views on the Italian Coast, address in London, Hastings and St Leonards on Sea Susssex.