Strathclyde Country Park, South Calder Water, Roman Bridge

NS75NW 1 72889 57961.

(NS 7289 5796) Roman Bridge (R)

OS 6" map (1910)

About 1/4 mile E of Bothwell Haugh there is a bridge across the South Calder, supposed to be of Roman construction. It consists of one semi-circular arch without parapets (NSA 1845). General Roy, in 1793, does not mention the bridge although he must have been fully acquainted with it.

J Macdonald 1895

This bridge is obviously of medieval or later origin; no evidence of Roman work was found in it.

J M Davidson 1952

This small, hump-backed bridge, 14m long and 2.8m wide, has a modern cobbled surface. It is definitely not Roman, though it does appear to be very old, possibly medieval in origin as suggested above.

Visited by OS (JLD) 8 September 1953

Possibly 18th century.

SDD List, undated.

It is probable that this bridge was restored by James Hamilton in the late 17th century. While it may have originated as a medieval pack-horse bridge, a Roman bridge must have existed here or near here next to the Roman bathhouse, fort and road (NS75NW 2 and NS75NW 23 RRX 509).

J Sloan 1986.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES

Photographs: National Portrait Gallery.

'Glasgow and Lanarkshire Illustrated'

1910 Cat 1935. c/July 1946. p. 96

National Library of Scotland

'Sketches of Scottish Scenery' - 1 sketch