Dairsie Bridge

Dairsie Bridge is a 16th-century stone bridge, located 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south of Dairsie, in north-east Fife, Scotland. It carries a minor road across the River Eden, linking the parishes of Dairsie to the north and Kemback to the south. The bridge is protected as a Category A listed building.[1]

Dairsie Bridge
Dairsie Bridge, viewed from downstream
LocationDairsie, Fife, Scotland
GB grid reference NO415161
Coordinates56°20′01″N 2°56′47″W
BuiltEarly 16th century
Built forJames Beaton
Listed Building – Category A
Official nameDairsie Bridge over River Eden
Designated1 March 1984
Reference no.LB2607
Location of Dairsie Bridge in Fife

History

There was an earlier bridge at Dairsie, as it is recorded that King James IV crossed it on his way from St Andrews to Stirling in 1496.[2]

The present bridge bears an inscribed stone displaying the arms and initials of James Beaton (1473–1539), Archbishop of St Andrews, and it is likely that he ordered the bridge to be built during his episcopate (1522–1539).[2] Nearby Dairsie Castle had been a property of the archbishops of St Andrews until the early 16th century.

The three-arched bridge is 30 metres (98 ft) long and 3.5 metres (11 ft) wide. The Eden flows under the two southern arches, and cutwaters project from the bridge's piers.[2] Only minor alterations, to the parapets and approaches, have been carried out since the bridge's construction.[2]

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Dairsie Bridge over River Eden  (Category A Listed Building) (LB2607)". Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  2. "Dairsie Bridge". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
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