Description

1470-1525; numerous repairs in 16th and 17th centuries; restored James Morris and WS Wilson 1907-10. Coursed, squared sandstone hogback bridge; stepped coping. 4 segmental stone arches; voussoirs; cutwaters; curved wingwalls; lamp standards to parapet.

Statement of Interest

De-scheduled 11.12.1998. In his poem 'The Brigs of Ayr' Robert Burns correctly forecasted that the Auld Brig would outlast the New Bridge (see separate list description) standing approximately 500 yards apart. In the early 20th century a vigorous campaign was launched for its repair, Lord Rosebery lamenting in an address, "Why, sir, the great millionaires of the world, who spend their substance in giving thousands for manuscript copies of his [Robert Burns'] poems, they would give hundreds of thousands for a shake of his hand, or for the sound of his voice, and yet we cannot raise ?10,000, now that he is dead, to save the object on which his heart was set." Auld Brig was substantially repaired in 1907-10 and is still in current use as a pedestrian crossing to the town. Photographs of the Brig's repair can be found in NMRS Photographic Library, taken by John B Lawson in 1907 (AY/1704-1729). The authors of HISTORIC AYR suggest a nearby ford, provided access to the High Street prior to the erection of the Auld Brig.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q17124983 Q56448315

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

• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)