Bridge, Leithen Water, Innerleithen Golf Club

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 10/03/2003 Local Authority Scottish Borders Planning Authority Scottish Borders Parish Innerleithen NGR NT 33560 38710 Coordinates 333560, 638710 — Later 19th century. Single segmental-span road bridge in rural setting. Coursed local whinstone rubble with polished red sandstone voussoirs, coping and quoins. N & S ELEVATIONS: segmental arch spanning river with sandstone voussoirs, plain rubble wall forming spandrels, parapet and flat wing walls (all with flat red sandstone coping); slightly advanced wall with red sandstone quoins to SW supporting bridge and following line of bank. — This bridge was built to replace a ford that formerly traversed the Leithen Water (which rises from a spring call the Eye, flowing 12 miles and falling 1293 feet in height). It is sited at one of the few remaining sections where the river follows the same course as it did in the mid-19th century. Upstream, the river followed a meandering path, whilst downstream the route was slightly to the east and was occasionally split by small islets. It is the 2nd largest river in the parish after the Tweed and was prone to flooding. One of the worst floods was in 1891 and threatened to destroy the whole valley as well causing severe damage to the adjacent roadway and houses in Innerleithen. The road this bridge serves was originally made in 1794 and kept useable by means of subscription. It runs north towards Heriot in Midlothian. The road was "remade" and upgraded in 1835. The bridge appears between the 1st and 2nd Ordnance survey maps, around the time Leithen Lodge was purchased and extended by John Miller, civil engineer (renowned for his railways) and when Innerleithen Golf Club was formed. Listed as a good example of a rural simple bridge.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.