Old Bridge (Innerleithen)

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Coordinates: 55 ° 37 '24 "  N , 3 ° 3' 37"  W.

Carrington Bridge
Carrington Bridge
Old Bridge
use Road bridge
Subjugated Leithen Water
place Innerleithen
construction Stone arch bridge
Number of openings 1
completion 1701
location
Old Bridge (Innerleithen) (Scotland)
Old Bridge (Innerleithen)

The Old Bridge , also Cuddy Bridge , is a former road bridge in the Scottish town of Innerleithen in the Council Area Midlothian . In 1971 the bridge was included in the Scottish monument lists, initially in monument category B. In 2008 it was finally downgraded to Category C. An additional classification as a Scheduled Monument was lifted in 1998.

history

With the Vacant Scholarship Act , Parliament passed a law in 1665 that regulated the use of parish funds during a vacancy. It was decreed that money paid out during the vacancy could only be used to build or repair churches and bridges and to support the poor. The parish of Innerleithens was vacant from October 1695 to March 1697. Presumably, the money received during this time was used to build the bridge.

The engineer Alexander Horsbrugh directed the construction of the bridge in 1701 . The new bridge connected Innerleithen with the village of Pirn on the opposite bank of the Leithen Waters and made it possible for churchgoers from the eastern regions of the Parish to visit church. It also connected Innerleithen with the villages to the east. With the construction of the new road between Peebles and Galashiels along the Tweeds (today's A72 ), another bridge was built a short distance downstream in the 1770s, which from then on carried the main traffic route over the Leithen Water. In 2006, the Old Bridge, which was closed to traffic, was restored.

description

The Old Bridge is one of the rare surviving examples of an arch bridge from the early 18th century in Scotland. The masonry viaduct spans the Leithen Water shortly before it flows into the Tweed with a lined segment arch . Its masonry consists of roughly hewn quarry stone. On both sides parapets delimit the roadway, which are designed to be slightly fanned out on both sides. The parapets were probably largely rebuilt in the course of the restoration work in 2006.

Individual evidence

  1. a b c d Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  2. Entry on Old Bridge  in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)

Web links