Tay Bridge, Perth City XPL 6388
In 1209, a bridge at the foot of Perth High Street was swept away by floods. It must have been rebuilt soon after, because a record exists of Alexander II meeting his father's funeral cortege at the bridge of Perth in 1214. In 1317 the bridge was mentioned in a charter of Robert the Bruce, and in 1328 he asked the Abbot of Scone to allow stones to be taken from Kincarrathie Quarry for repairs to the Bridge of Perth and the Bridge of Earn. During the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries there are numerous references to the bridge needing repairs and towards the end of the 16th century it became obvious that a new bridge had to be built The loss of a safe crossing in 1621 contributed to a decline in the town's fortunes, and in 1766 Thomas, Earl of Kinnoull headed an effort to obtain funding for a new bridge. Financial backing from the government and the Earl himself, as well as public subscription led to the commission of John Smeaton, architect of the Eddystone Lighthouse, to build a new bridge at Perth. Smeaton's bridge was completed in 1771and is generally known as Perth Bridge. It was soon put to the test. In February 1774, during a rapid thaw, broken ice became wedged under the bridge, and blocked up the river channel. Most of the town and both Inches were flooded, but the bridge stood firm. Smeaton's bridge has survived many floods since. Some of the flood levels are marked on the north side of the westmost pier. Increasing traffic during the 19th century resulted in the bridge being widened by A. D. Stewart in 1869. The stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets XPL 6388
Size: 5600px × 3747px
Location: Tay Bridge, Perth City Perthshire Tayside Region Scotland UK
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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