Old Tweed Bridge

The  Category B Listed 185-year-old bridge over the River Tweed close to the confluence with Ettrick Water, along with a similar structure at Lindean, was constructed in the early 1830s by Darnick building company John and Thomas Smith at a total cost of £2,500.  For 140 years the bridges provided the main link between Selkirk and Galashiels, cutting the road distance to eight miles, and of particular benefit to Sir Walter Scott, who lived one mile away at Abbotsford House. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Walter and one of his last public duties before his death in 1832, was to declare the bridge open.

As an old section of the A7 trunk road, which stopped being part of the roads network in the 1970's when a new bridge was built, the old bridge was closed to vehicles, remaining open to cyclists and walkers, and was de-trunked, so fell to the local authority to maintain. The structure gradually deteriorated but neither the Scottish Border Council nor the Government accepted responsibility for the upkeep or repair. Around 2012, due to its deteriorating condition, it was closed altogether.

Funded by Transport Scotland, restoration work was planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Scottish Borders Council, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish National Heritage and the River Tweed Commissioners, with Amey who led the restoration work. 

On refurbishment in 2017 the foundation stone was moved to the inside of the East parapet, opposite a stone dating the refurbishment.