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Autumn by the Drygrange Old Bridge, Scottish Boarders

The Drygrange Old Bridge is a disused road bridge over the River Tweed near Melrose in the Scottish Borders.

It was built between 1776 and 1780 to a design by Scottish architect and engineer Alexander Stevens. It replaced a ferry as part of an improvement to a turnpike road. It was listed as a Category A listed building in 1970.

It carried the A68 over the Tweed until 1974 when it was replaced by a box girder bridge to the east, engineered by Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners.The old bridge is not open to vehicles, but can be crossed by pedestrians and bicycles.

The Old Bridge has a central span of 105 feet (32 m), with two side spans of 55 feet (17 m), and a smaller arch in the south abutment. The central arch has a rise of 34 feet (10 m).The rounded cutwaters are carried up to the level of the roadway and are topped with angular pedestrian refuges.

Hollow spandrels reduce the weight of the structure, an innovation by Thomas Telford. The bridge has been modified by raising the level of the roadway on the approaches to make it more level, but the level of the original roadway can be seen in the string course on the exterior of the bridge.

It is near to the Roman settlement of Trimontium, which is to the south-west of the viaduct. To the west of the bridge is the Leaderfoot Viaduct, a disused railway viaduct, and to the east of the Old Bridge is its modern successor. This group of three bridges is sometimes known as Tripontium.

(Would certainly have passed over this bridge in a car in the 60's/70's)
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22 comments

John Cass said:

Beautiful shot, great composition and lovely colours.
5 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to John Cass:

Thanks very much for your kind comment John.

Best regards, Doug
5 years ago

Fred Fouarge said:

Mooi Doug
5 years ago ( translate )

Doug Shepherd replied to Fred Fouarge:

Many thanks Fred, glad that you like it.

Best wishes, Doug
5 years ago

Adriana Grecu said:

Superbe image!
5 years ago ( translate )

Doug Shepherd replied to Adriana Grecu:

Thanks so much for your kind comment Adriana.

Best wishes, Doug
5 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

Well I know which one I like best Doug, but thank goodness it doesn't have a huge volume of traffic crossing it now. I am pleased it is listed, it deserves to be. The autumnal golds in the trees looks beautiful too.

Best wishes, Rosa.
5 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Rosalyn Hilborne:

Thanks very much for your visit and kind words Rosa.

Best wishes, Doug
5 years ago

John Goodwin said:

Cracking shot of this attractive old bridge, Doug... Nice that it will always be properly preserved.
Very interesting info.... Cheers John.
5 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to John Goodwin:

Your visit and kind comments are much appreciated John.

Best wishes, Doug
5 years ago

Elaine said:

Lovely capture Doug, been here a good few times. The viaduct (behind you) is pretty impressive too. Did you get any shots of that? It's a lovely view indeed. Elaine
5 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Elaine:

Thanks so much for your visit and kind comments Elaine. I took this shot www.ipernity.com/doc/cardiganieuan/46444230 of the viaduct back in March this year and have have another shot of it (in the pipeline) taken at the same time as the one above.

All the best, Doug
5 years ago

Boarischa Krautmo said:

beautiful comparison of old and new.......
5 years ago

Doug Shepherd replied to Boarischa Krautmo:

Many thanks for your kind comment Boarischa, much appreciated.

Best wishes, Doug
5 years ago

Taormina said:

Das Neue trifft das alte... sehr schön dargestellt.
Schönes Wochenende!
5 years ago ( translate )