Suspension Bridge, Whitesands, Dumfries

Whitesands Suspension footbridge, Dumfries

The suspension bridge in Dumfries is a footbridge across the river Nith on the whitesands.

This 'Category B' listed iron suspension bridge was built in 1875 in order to allow easy access for mill girls to cross to and from textile mills that had been built on both sides of the river Nith in the 19^th century. Dumfries was a prosperous town in the 19^th century and business in the manufacturing of hosiery, especially lamb’s wool, was booming. This gave employment to many women at the time. The women were said to be ‘so enthusiastic about the bridge that they had to be reprimanded for marching across in step with their heavy clogs and making the bridge swing dramatically!!’

Decorative and commemorative cross-brace, which, once held the lamps

In the middle of the cross-brace is, a burgh seal that shows the Archangel Michael triumphing over Satan in the form of a serpent. The burgh seal dates from the 13th century when dedications to St Michael were prevalent in areas of Anglo-Norman settlement and can be seen on historical buildings across Dumfries.

Coat of Arms 1707

On the iron railings the finials are 'fleur de lys' a symbol which dated back nearly two millennia. Which also features on the crown jewels of England and Scotland.

Iron railings with fleur de lys finials

Sources;

Dumfries Time Traveller: Follow in the footsteps of Burns, Bruce and Barrie through eight centuries of Dumfries history.

J.A. Mackay (1990) - Pictoral History of Dumfries

Fortune P., McMillan H. - Dumfries : A history and celebration

Devorgilla Bridge (The Old Bridge), Dumfries

Devorgilla Bridge (The Old Bridge)

The Devorgilla Bridge in Dumfries, otherwise known as the Old Bridge, is one of the oldest still standing in Scotland. Originally built in 1431 replacing an older wooden structure, this picturesque six arched stone bridge is named after Devorgilla, the mother of the Scottish King John Balliol. Devorgilla was the founder of Balliol College, Oxford and is also known for building the Cistercian Sweetheart Abbey, a few miles out of Dumfries, where she was buried clasping her husband’s heart in an ivory casket.

Devorgilla Bridge was used for wheeled traffic in and out of Galloway in the medieval times but is now serving as a pedestrian way only. The bridge is made of local red stone like many houses in Dumfries and extends 163 feet across the river Nith connecting Dumfries and Maxwell town.

The bridge is said to have been partially damaged during severe floods in the 17^th century and was rebuilt by adding triangular cutwaters on both of its sides in order to withstand violent flooding.



Triangular cutwaters



 

At the end of the bridge, on the south side, is the Old Bridge House, which is now home to a little museum of town life. Built in 1660, it is Dumfries’ oldest house. In the 18^th century it was an inn and was possibly a place of worship before that. The museum is open to the public from the end of March through to the end of September, Mondays to Saturdays 10:00am – 5:00pm and Sundays between 2:00pm and 5:00pm. 

Old Bridge House

 


A view of the back of the old house from whitesands

Sources;

Dumfries Time Traveller: Follow in the footsteps of Burns, Bruce and Barrie through eight centuries of Dumfries history.

J.A. Mackay (1990) - Pictoral History of Dumfries

Fortune P., McMillan H. - Dumfries : A history and celebration