Stirling Old Bridge

Stirling Old Bridge is a stone bridge which crosses the River Forth. For over 300 years it provided the lowest crossing point of the Forth and so had strategic importance.[1]

Old Bridge
Stirling Old Bridge, viewed from the road bridge
Coordinates56°7′43.03″N 3°56′12.78″W
Carriesfoot and bicycle traffic
CrossesRiver Forth
LocaleStirling
Heritage statusCategory A listed building
Characteristics
MaterialStone
Total length268 feet (82 m)
No. of spans4
History
Construction endcirca 1500
Location

History

The stone bridge was constructed on rubble foundations around 1500[2] and replaced earlier wooden bridges, including that on which the Battle of Stirling Bridge was fought.

The bridge originally had arches at either end and a defensive gate at the end nearer the burgh. Tolls were levied on goods being taken across the bridge.[3]:114

In December 1745 General Blakeney, lieutenant governor of Stirling Castle, had one of the bridge arches destroyed to hinder the movement of the Jacobite Army.[3]:160 The destroyed arch was rebuilt in 1749.[4][5]

In May 1833 the adjacent new road bridge was opened to traffic and the Old Bridge was closed to wheeled traffic.[1][3]:196

The bridge was designated as a Category A Listed Building in 1965.[2]

References
  1. "Old Bridge". Gazetteer for Scotland.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "Stirling, Old Bridge (LB41129)". Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  3. Mair, Craig (1990). Stirling: The Royal Burgh. John Donald. ISBN 0859764206.
  4. "Statement of significance: Stirling Old Bridge". Historic Environment Scotland.
  5. Historic Environment Scotland. "Stirling, Causewayhead, Bridegehaugh Road, Old Bridge (46195)". Canmore. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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