Keith Old Bridge

Keith Old Bridge, also known as Keith Auld Brig, is a bridge over the River Isla in Keith in Moray, Scotland. Built in 1609, it is the oldest surviving dated bridge in Moray and is a Category A listed building.

Keith Old Bridge
The east side of Keith Old Bridge, viewed from the south bank of the Isla
Coordinates 57°32′37″N 2°57′28″W
CarriesPedestrians (formerly road traffic)
CrossesRiver Isla
Heritage statusCategory A listed building
Characteristics
MaterialGranite rubble
History
Opened1609

Description

Keith Old Bridge is built of granite rubble, and spans the River Isla in a single segmental arch,[1] linking the higher northern bank to the lower southern one,[2] where it is widely splayed.[3] On its eastern flank it bears a worn carving of the coats of arms of Thomas Moray and Janet Lindsay,[3] and on the west there are date stones showing 1609, the year the bridge was built, and 1822, when repair work was carried out on it.[2] Currently used only by pedestrian traffic, it is approximately 2.8 metres wide,[4] with a span of 8.2 metres.[3]

History

Keith Old Bridge, sometimes known as Keith Auld Brig,[3][4] was built for the use of packhorses[5] by Thomas Moray and Janet Lindsay, his wife. The couple lived close to the ford that had been in use prior to the bridge's construction, and they were distressed by the dangers involved in crossing it, so paid for a bridge to be built with their own savings.[2] It was built in 1609, making it the oldest surviving dated bridge in Moray.[2] It has been in constant use since that date, and underwent repairs in 1724, and again in 1822.[2] Its role in carrying the main road across the River Isla ended in 1770 when the nearby Union Bridge was built,[1] but it remained open for pedestrians, and stone steps were added at the southern end, probably in the twentieth century.[2]

The bridge was designated a Category B listed building in 1972, and upgraded to Category A in 1988.[2]

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References
  1. Walker, David W.; Woodworth, Matthew (2015). The Buildings of Scotland - Aberdeenshire: North and Moray. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 668. ISBN 9780300204285.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "Old Keith, Bridge over River Isla  (Category A) (LB35661)". Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  3. "Moray HER - NJ45SW0005 - Auld Brig, Keith". Aberdeenshire Council. Aberdeenshire Council. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  4. "Keith, Regent Street, Old Bridge Of Keith". CANMORE. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  5. McKean, Charles (1987). The District of Moray - An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press and RIAC Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 1873190484.
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