Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

From 1754-1762 (see Notes). Single-carriageway, hump-backed bridge of two 80ft arches with central v-splayed cutwater spanning the Tweed. Squared and snecked, red sandstone rubble with dressed sandstone voussiors and buttressed approaches. Coped parapet with square, recessed pedestrian refuges.

Statement of Special Interest

Part of a B-Group comprising Melrose Bridge and Gattonside Toll.

A substantial 18th century road bridge of red sandstone occupying a prominent position in rolling landscape, spanning the Tweed on the sweeping approach road from Galashiels to Melrose. The bridge is flanked by the mid 19th century 'Gattonside Toll' (see separate listing) located at the southerly approach, and Lowood Lodge to the northerly approach, adding wider contextual interest.

The exact building date is not currently known, although it may may have been completed as early as 1762, possibly replacing a failed earlier bridge, subscription for which appears to have been underway in 1754 (see References). This specific river crossing was particularly significant at a period when turnpikes were being constructed in Scotland, with the only other carriage bridge to cross the Tweed at this time located at Kelso. The bridge is also known as 'Darnlee' or 'Lowood', and more locally as the 'Bottle' bridge, probably because broken bottle glass was used an an aggregate in the foundations. Vehicular passage over the single lane carriage way is now controlled by traffic lights.

List description updated at resurvey (2010).

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.