Tullibody Old Bridge, over the River Devon near Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, dates from the early 16th century. Disused for traffic after 1915 and largely neglected, it was restored for use by walkers and cyclists in 2003.
It's thought that Robert Spittal, the court tailor to King James IV and Margaret Tudor and local philanthropist, was the person responsible for the bridge's construction. Spittal was also responsible for the Bridge of Teith over the River Teith at Doune.
Tullibody Old Bridge was built early in the 16th century, constructed of rubble and ashlar (dressed stone) blocks and was designed with chicanes to impede the rapid transit of horse traffic. With two main arches and three flood arches to the west, its great length (442 feet or 134.7 metres) possibly once reflected the difficulty in crossing the flood plain at this point.
Tullibody old bridge looking west - April 2022
In January 1560, the eastern main arch was demolished by Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange to hamper French troops travelling from Fife during the regency of Mary of Guise, the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots. The French commander Henri Cleutin improvised a bridge repair using timbers from the roof of the nearby Tullibody Old Kirk, and carried on towards Stirling. A more permanent repair to the bridge was made later in 1560.
Tullibody old bridge - south elevation - the reconstructed eastern arch is on the right
In the 17th century the bridge was often in a ruined state but was repaired several times with funds raised by tolls levied on users. In 1697 Thomas Bauchop, a mason, received a contract for repairs from the Earl of Mar. In that year he or his son, Alloa Master Mason Tobias Bauchop, built a new eastern arch and inserted iron ties.
The Old Bridge went out of use for traffic in 1915 in favour of a shorter and wider lattice steel girder bridge, known as Downie's Bridge, built a very short distance to the north to carry the A907 road. After new government legislation was passed allowing 44-ton trucks to drive on UK roads, Downie's Bridge began to show signs of buckling and was quickly closed to traffic. In 1997 the A907 was re-routed over a new concrete bridge, built just north of Downie's Bridge and the steel bridge was demolished in 2003.
Tullibody old bridge - North elevation - Picture taken from the new A907 concrete bridge, Downie's Bridge once stood between these two bridges
Downies Bridge, Photographed from the old bridge - Canmore image
Latest bridge - A907 just outside Tullibody
In January 2003, Clackmannanshire Council began restoring the Old Bridge and performed vegetation clearance, resurfacing and structural repairs to the masonry in accordance with conditions laid down by Historic Scotland. The project was completed in January 2005 and Tullibody Old Bridge now forms part of the National Cycle Network in Clackmannanshire.
It is protected as a Category A listed building and was a Scheduled Ancient Monument until 2016 when this status was removed due to dual designation.