Scotland’s Oldest Bridges.
A map-based catalogue of the oldest masonry bridges in Scotland.
This site contains a catalogue of the oldest masonry bridges in Scotland: those which existed before 1750. An ancient map has been used as the primary source. A modern map is used to display the data.
Each bridge is identified by a marker on an expandable Ordnance Survey map. The marker gives access to additional material: the location, map sources, style, documented age and an estimate of current structural age. Historical notes are included when available, and links are provided to useful sites providing further information. Photographs of the important bridges are included, and the OS coordinates are displayed.
William Roy’s map from the Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55) is the main source. Timothy Pont’s maps (surveys around 1600), Blaeu’s Atlas of Scotland (printed 1640) and John Adair’s manuscripts (1680s) have been used as secondary references. An ancient map is a sensible starting point for a catalogue because it defines a limit of scope while confirming a geographical location and a firm date of existence.
The catalogue contains 600 bridges. Today, most of them have been replaced by more modern structures, yet it is still interesting to know their provenance. Some no longer exist. Some are ruins. However, around thirty per cent do still exist, substantially in their original style. These are beautiful monuments in the landscape - architectural treasures that are often ignored and sometimes neglected.