Tongland Bridge

Tongland Bridge
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Tongland Bridge

Crossing the River Dee a half-mile (0.8 km) southwest of Tongland and 1¼ miles (2 km) north of Kirkcudbright, the Tongland Bridge was designed by noted engineer Thomas Telford (1757 - 1834) although the aesthetic treatment, involving castellated towers and a corbelled-out parapet, was the work of Alexander Nasmyth (1758 - 1840).

Constructed between 1804-08 the bridge comprises a 34-m (112-feet) main span with side spans each supported on three Gothic pointed arches. It was the first bridge in Britain to carry a road on spine walls rising from the arch rings. The bridge was strengthened in the middle of the 20th century.

A bridge was begun here in 1803, but the span proved too great and the partial construction was destroyed by floods within a year. Telford was brought in and proposed a more substantial structure, although this was to cost more than twice the price of the original.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better