Swilcan Bridge, Stone arch bridge at Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
Swilcan Bridge crosses the Swilcan Burn between the first and eighteenth fairway and is built from plain gray stone with a low arch. The crossing is roughly 8 feet wide and 30 feet long, with low side walls that span the narrow watercourse.
Shepherds built the crossing more than seven centuries ago to move sheep and cattle across the stream. The course later developed around the old structure, which became a fixed part of the fairways.
Golfers regularly pause here to stand on the old stone before starting or finishing the final hole. Visitors see the crossing as a spot where players take a moment to gather themselves and look toward the course and nearby clubhouse.
Visitors may walk across the structure when the course is open, though they should watch for players using the fairway. The stonework was renewed in 2023 to stabilize the surface and withstand the many footsteps.
A full-size replica stands at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida and shows the clubhouse in the background. Visitors there can see the crossing without traveling to Scotland.
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