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 | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 56°7′43.03″N 3°56′12.78″W / 56.1286194°N 3.9368833°W |
Carries | foot and bicycle traffic |
Crosses | River Forth |
Locale | Stirling |
Heritage status | Category A listed building |
Characteristics | |
Material | Stone |
Total length | 268 feet (82 m) |
No. of spans | 4 |
History | |
Construction end | circa 1500 |
Location | |
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]