A single masonry arch carries the public road across the Ale Water and remains part of Ancrum’s everyday transport network.
Quick facts
- Date
- Date not recorded in the designation; repairs completed in 2025–26
- Architect / designer
- Original designer unknown
- Type
- Single-arch stone road bridge
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB4222)
- OS grid reference
- NT 63329 24578
Architecture and continuing use
The structure is defined by one stone arch spanning the water. Its restrained form lets the curve, masonry and relationship with the river carry the architectural interest.
Its story
The national record does not supply a construction date, so an exact age should not be inferred from appearance alone. Council bridge works in 2025–26 included completed strengthening or repair to a buttress, demonstrating continuing maintenance of the crossing.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises the architectural and historic interest of a traditional masonry crossing that still performs its original transport function.
What to notice
- The single arch springing across the channel.
- Stonework changes associated with repair and maintenance.
- The bridge’s close fit between road and river banks.
Reading the surroundings
This is a live road bridge. Use pavements or lawful verges where available, remain alert to traffic and never stand in the carriageway or descend to the water without a safe public route.
Timeline
- Before 1971 The masonry crossing was recognised as a historic structure.
- 1971 Ale Bridge entered the statutory list.
- 2025–26 Council works completed repairs to a bridge buttress.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The build date and designer are not established by the current designation; work details are reported at programme level rather than as a complete engineering history.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Ale Bridge, LB4222 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB4222 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Scottish Borders Council: bridge works programme 2025–26 — Current council evidence that Ale Bridge buttress works were completed.
Location
OS grid reference NT 63329 24578 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access and current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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