Description

Dated 1793 (?). Single arched bridge spanning Preston Burn, later enclosed on both sides to form cell beneath; small, segmental-arched opening for burn below. Harl-pointed sandstone rubble to bridge with tooled rubble dressings; weathered cream sandstone rubble to later infills. Rubble voussoir arches to both sides with central keystones (dated to N); rubble-coped parapets, splayed at either end. S ELEVATION: blocked, round-arched opening at centre with plain keystone; small, pointed-arched opening centred in cell below; segmental-arched opening beneath; arched door (?) opening off-set to left. N ELEVATION: blocked, round-arched opening at centre with keystone dated '1793'; small arrowslit centred in cell below; segmental-arched opening beneath. INTERIOR: not seen 1998.

Statement of Interest

An unusual and relatively early survival. At one time, the enclosure formed beneath this bridge was used as a jail - hence its sometimes being known as 'Cuddy's Gaol' ('cuddy' presumably deriving from the fact that the bridge was used primarily by horses and ox-wagons). A small hole in the floor of the cell is said to have allowed inmates to pull up water and deposit waste into the burn below. Nel Logan, a Preston woman imprisoned for stealing a sheep, was the last to be held here - hence its name today. Obscured by foliage in part (1998).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17846605

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)