Friday, 14 February 2020

Ladykirk-Norham Bridge

Ladykirk-Norham Bridge

The Ladykirk and Norham Bridge connects Scotland and England over the River Tweed. The bridge runs from Ladykirk in the Scottish Borders to Norham in Northumberland, England.

"It is a late stone road arch bridge with four spans. The two middle arches are of 90 feet (27 m) span, and the outer two of 85 feet (26 m) span, and the width of the roadway between the parapets is 14 feet (4.3 m). The outer piers have triangular cutwaters, but the central pier has a curved cutwater that continues up to the height of the road, with a break in the parapet to create a refuge for pedestrians.

The previous bridge was a timber trestle built between 1838 and 1839 by J. Blackmore. The bridge was funded by subscribers purchasing shares; David Robertson, 1st Baron Marjoribanks paid L.3000, and ten others paid L.500 each.
This bridge used curved ribs eight planks deep at the ends and three planks deep in the middle, where each individual plank is 6 inches (150 mm) deep. These were used to create two arches, each of 190 feet (58 m) span and 17 feet (5.2 m) rise, each arch was supported by two trusses. The planks were 18 feet (5.5 m) long, and no piece of timber in the bridge was longer than 28 feet (8.5 m). The roadway was 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. The entire bridge was restored in 1852, with the exception of the stone piers." (from Wikipedia)










Monday, 3 February 2020

Minto Old Parish Church

Minto Old Parish Church

This old Parish Church is a ruin but still has medieval traces including some of Norman/Romanesque period. The earliest record of Minto ("Myntowe") church is in Bagimont’s Rolls of 1275, this old church was replaced in 1831 by The (new) Parish Church of Minto. The old church which contained burial vaults of Minto’s lairds, baronets, and earls, was demolished and made into a rose garden while gravestones were grouped into the remains of the vestry.
During the demolition of the church, a collection of 400 silver coins were found. They were mostly silver pennies of Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III with one or two of the Scottish kings Alexander III and Robert the Bruce.

There are several old gravestones and memorial stones both within the ruin and in the surrounding area, there is a table tomb and also there is a set of Jougs hanging outside the ruin with a collar measuring about 6" in diameter. The jougs are in really good condition which suggests they are a fairly modern addition.
















Ruff Dugger - Sponsor Me!

Ex-Borders Pet Rescue resident "Boston" the Shih Tzu is taking part in Ruff Dugger at Traquair on 20th May 2023 raising money for...