Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Probably later 18th century, plain single elliptical-arched bridge over the Water of Leith; E parapet wall splayed out at ends, with pall stones at corners; pyramidal caps at ends of parapet walls. Squared sandstone random rubble with flat cope stones to parapet wall and smooth voussoirs.

Statement of Special Interest

This bridge contributes greatly to the picturesqueness of Colinton Dell and links the commercial and residential area of old Colinton to St Cuthbert's church. It is very difficult to date a bridge of this type, as construction methods remained relatively unchanged for several centuries. There was definitely a stone bridge here in 1666, for Sir James Turner, who was captured by the Covenanters, mentions in his memoirs that they camped by it on their way to Edinburgh (see Gladstone-Millar). The bridge is also shown on John Adair's Map of Midlothian, 1682. However, it is very unlikely that the present bridge dates back to the seventeenth century. According to Professor Ted Ruddock, the original bridge would have been a narrow pedestrian bridge, and the width of the present bridge suggests a late eighteenth century date. A bridge with splayed ends is shown on the 1771 map of James Gillespie's farm, and it seems likely that that is the present bridge. Professor Ruddock also noted that the bridge seems to have been widened, probably in the late eighteenth, or early nineteenth century.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.