The Bridges of Langholm

We had planned to walk in either the Carlisle area or near Dumfries today depending on which had the better weather, but on looking at the weather forecast this morning which indicated rain coming in at all 3 places from 12 noon we decided to stay in Langholm and complete a walk from the 2012 Walking Festival namely the Langholm Bridges Walk. As 3 rivers run through Langholm we have plenty of bridges and this 7.5 mile walk crossed 13 bridges, although this includes the Suspension Bridge twice. There must be a way of bagging all these bridges and only crossing them once but I have still to find a way to do this. We were very fortunate as the rain only started just as we finished the walk at 1.00pm. The first bridge is the Duchess Bridge over the river Esk which is the oldest cast iron bridge in Scotland.

Bridge No 2 the Rugby Club Bridge over the Ewes built by The Royal Engineers Regiment a few years ago.

Bridge No 3 the High Mill Bridge at the north end of the town and crossing the river Ewes.

Bridge No 4 the Sawmill Bridge over the river Ewes

The Langholm Bridge taken from where the Ewes and the Esk meet and this was Bridge No 6 on our route.

Bridge No 5 the Jubilee Bridge over the Esk next to the new Langholm Primary School

Bridge No 7 the Suspension Bridge over the Esk, formerly called The Boatford Bridge. When the first one was built everybody crowded onto it to get their photograph taken and it collapsed into the river but luckily nobody was drowned. 

Bridge No 8 The Kirk Bridge over the river Wauchope

Bridge No 9 the Park Bridge over the Wauchope which is fairly new having replaced the old one a few years ago.

This is where Tom and I have arguments as this bridge over the Becks Burn on the Lockerbie Road should maybe not be recognised as one of the official Langholm Bridges as it only crosses a burn. It is however a bridge and the burn is quite big so in my opinion it is a Langholm Bridge and no 10 on our list.

Bridge No 11 the Auld Stane Brig over the Wauchope and probably the oldest bridge in the town. 

And finally Bridge No 12 the Skippers Bridge over the Esk at the south end of the town. This was a superb walk taking us 3 hours with plenty to see on the way and a good few stops for a blether with the many people we met on the way.