Tyne Bridge

The Tyne Bridge is a single-span bridge constructed in 1805 by Charles Abercromby as part of improvements to roads in Midlothian. It crosses the Tyne near the Lion's Gate of Prestonhall and was built alongside Cranstoun Bridge, which is part of the Oxenfoord Estate and is listed separately. The bridge was commissioned by James Clerk, Esq of Chester Hall, the Convenor of Roads and Highways. The bridge is built of dressed ashlar with ashlar voussoirs forming the semi-circular span. It has dentils above the parapet, which features an inset date stone and slab coping, and slightly projecting support walls to the flanks of the span. Curved wing walls extend to each side. The overall height, including the 4ft parapet, is 42ft, with the central arch rising to 29ft. The straight portion of the parapet measures 38ft, flanked by walls of 16ft each. The bridge replaced an earlier ford and serves the road between Oxenfoord and Prestonhall. It became a significant bridge over the Tyne, acting as an early bypass for the estates, and continues to carry the main A68 road. The historic environment record references a first edition Ordnance Survey map from circa 1856 and a publication by Rev John Dickson, CRANSTOUN: A PARISH HISTORY, page 143.