Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM90290_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014808)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises Stirling's late medieval bridge which spans the river Forth. This rescheduling is to clarify the extent of the protected area.

Believed to be of late 15th/early 16th-century date, Stirling Old Bridge is a particularly fine four-arched bridge with semi-circular arches and triangular cutwaters. It is constructed predominantly of squared rubble although the arch rings are of ashlar, as is some of the masonry in the spandrels: the bases of the piers are now protected by mounds of rubble.

Repair work carried out in the 17th century is documented in the records of Stirling Burgh Council. The S arch was rebuilt in 1749, the original having been blown up in 1745 to prevent the Highland army from entering Stirling. The bridge was closed to wheeled traffic in 1832 following the construction of a new bridge to the S, but continues in use as a footbridge. It was strengthened in 1912-1920. The bridge is now in state care.

The area now to be scheduled is parallel-sided in shape with maximum dimensions of 150m from its E end to its W end, and is a uniform 16m in width. It includes the bridge, its approaches and that part of the riverbed contained within a 16m-wide strip centred on the centre line of the bridge, within which evidence for the construction and maintenance of the bridge may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance not only for its architectural qualities but also for its importance as the principal crossing point over the river Forth at Stirling in the late medieval period. As such it had a crucial role in terms of the economic development of, and defence of, the Royal Burgh of Stirling. The monument's importance is emphasised by its status as a property in state care.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

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.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

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