Cumstoun Bridge

Today's the day ....................... to cross the river

Back in the 18th century, maintenance of the roads in this part of the country was the responsibility of the ‘Commissioners of Supply'’ – a statutory body comprising the local landowners.  They, in turn, could demand that their tenants put in an amount of 'statute labour' to keep the roads in good condition.  

While some of these roads may have had a stone or gravel surface, many would be ‘natural’ roads formed by the passage of pedestrian and animal traffic. They were generally about 7 feet (2 metres) wide.  

In 1761 the Commissioners decided to make a road from Rhonehouse to Twynholm via Tongland, possibly to bring the main east-west route nearer to Kirkcudbright. A bridge over the River Tarff was needed and in 1770 Thomas Kerr was awarded the contract to build it for £160.  

And this is how it looked today, on a rather cold and grey day - still in pretty good nick .........................