Straightbow Bridge

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 03/03/2005 Local Authority East Ayrshire Planning Authority East Ayrshire Parish Dunlop NGR NS 40429 49389 Coordinates 240429, 649389 — Circa 1825 with later alterations. Narrow single arch bridge over the Glazert Burn with sturdy battered piers and later splayed parapet walls. Squared, coursed basalt rubble with bull-faced quoins and round sandstone copes to parapet. — Situated on the road to Borland, just South of Dunlop Parish Church. This road is first shown on Thomson's map of 1828; it is not on Ainslie's map of 1821. Since the banks of the Glazert Burn are very steep here, it would be impossible for a vehicle to cross at this point without a bridge; indeed, even for a pedestrian it would be very difficult. From map evidence it seems that this road was built between 1821 and 1828; it therefore seems likely that the bridge was built at the same time. The stonework of the parapet is slightly different from that of the lower sections of the bridge, which suggests that the parapet has been added or rebuilt at some point. This bridge is of local importance, and is a little-altered example of an early 19th century vernacular bridge. It was built at a time when the local farms were prospering, and much improvement work was being carried out in the parish.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.