Guildhall Bridge, Kirkconnel

The Guildhall Bridge is a road bridge, probably designed by the engineer John Smeaton in 1756. An inscription panel states that it was built by William Douglas Mason of Crechan in 1761. The bridge spans the River Nith with three segmental arches, and the roadway slopes down towards the south bank. It was widened in 1920 using iron girders, as evidenced by a dated inscription. The bridge is constructed of red rubble with ashlar voussoirs. Cutwaters rise upwards, likely originally serving as pedestrian refuges, and the bridge features splayed abutments and approaches. Records indicate that John Smeaton created plans for the bridge in 1756, following a report he made on the River Lochar in 1754. He evidently provided designs for other works in Dumfriesshire. The bridge is designated Category C(S) owing to its altered condition. Minutes of the Commissioners of supply, held in the Ewart Library, Dumfries (reference D1/1/6), contain further details.