Old Bridge, Dumfries

The Old Bridge in Dumfries began construction around 1431, although it has undergone significant rebuilding and alterations over the years. Originally consisting of nine arches over the River Nith, a flood in 1619 destroyed five of these arches, which were subsequently rebuilt between 1620 and 1621, likely using the original 15th-century piers or footings. The bridge has been frequently repaired, including work by Gilbert Smith in 1725, and the parapets have been rebuilt.

In the first half of the 19th century, three of the easternmost arches were demolished as part of the Whitesands land reclamation scheme. The bridge is constructed from coursed red sandstone, with arches featuring ashlar voussoirs that have chamfered edges and unribbed soffits. The pointed cutwaters are splayed inwards below the level of the arch crowns, and central cutwaters rise as pedestrian refuges, marking the site of a former toll-gate that was demolished in 1769 to reduce the weight on the pier; there had previously been two toll-gates.

The eastern half of the bridge is fairly regular in plan, with the parapets set at a lower level, and the easternmost arch is slightly wider, featuring steps at its truncated eastern end. The western half of the bridge is irregular in plan, which suggests an earlier building date, particularly at the pointed westernmost arch. The abutments and parapets are splayed towards the north, possibly to accommodate some form of defense.