Archaeology Notes

Event ID 698403

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/698403

NS32SW 6 33859 22113

(NS 3385 2210) Auld Brig [NR]

OS 1:10, 000 map (1978).

For adjacent (on NE) Brig Port (NS 3389 3389 2213), see NS32SW 34.

For successor New Bridge (downstream, to NW), see NS32SW 153.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE

National Library of Scotland. 1 Engraving of the Twa Brigs.

Earnock MSS, I, 90.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

(Location cited as NS 339 221). Old Bridge of Ayr, built 1470-1525, extensively repaired 1910. A 4-span rubble bridge, with 3 segmental arches and a pointed arch, built of dressed stone throughout. There are massive triangular cutwaters. Now a footbridge.

J R Hume 1976.

Though the first reference indicating that there was or might have been a bridge over the River Ayr is in a charter of Alexander II (1214-49), The Auld Brig probably dates from the 15th century (Gourlay and Turner). Hume states that it was built 1470-1525. However, it has been rebuilt and repaired many times since then, notably in 1588 and 1907-10.

It is a 4-span rubble bridge, with three segmental arches and a pointed arch, built of dressed stone throughout; it has massive triangular cutwaters. Now only in use as a footbridge.

R W Brash and A Leach 1972; J R Hume 1976; R Gourlay and A Turner 1977.

The Auld Brig is as described; it is 5.0m wide between the parapets. A plaque states: "Auld Brig of Ayr, erected in the 13th century..." The date "1232" is cut in an adjacent stone. This is obviously a modern insertion. The style of the bridge would not indicate a pre-15th century date of construction (probably on the site of an earlier bridge).

Visited by OS (JLD) 27 December 1955

No change to the previous information.

Visited by OS (MJF) 28 October 1980.

This bridge carries a footpath across the River Ayr to the S of the centre of Ayr (NS32SW 108).

The location assigned to this record defines the approximate midpoint of the structure. The available map evidence indicates that it extends from NS c. 33884 22139 to NS c. 33827 22081.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 19 May 2006.