Dryburgh Bridge

Dryburgh Bridge is a pedestrian crossing made of steel and wood that spans the River Tweed, connecting St. Boswells village with the wider area. The structure uses cables and iron supports to create a stable walkway above the water, allowing foot traffic to pass safely across.

The site has a troubled past with two earlier crossings that collapsed in 1817 and 1838, revealing structural weaknesses. The current bridge was built in 1872 with improved engineering to overcome the failures of its predecessors and provide a lasting solution.

The bridge serves as a daily link between communities, allowing local people to visit nearby churches and maintain social ties across the river. It remains woven into the rhythm of village life in the Scottish Borders.

The bridge is easiest to reach from parking areas in St. Boswells, where marked trails lead directly to the crossing point. The routes are clearly signposted and the approach is straightforward, making navigation simple for visitors.

The structure is actually the third bridge at this location, following two earlier attempts with cable-stayed designs that failed in the early 1800s. These repeated failures reveal the engineering challenges that designers had to overcome to successfully cross this river.

Location: Scottish Borders

GPS coordinates: 55.58071,-2.65418

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00