Adam Bridge

Heritage listing

Category B Group Category Details 100000020 - see notes Date Added 03/10/1989 Local Authority Scottish Borders Planning Authority Scottish Borders Parish Polwarth NGR NT 74400 48876 Coordinates 374400, 648876 — Possibly George Paterson, started 1759. Single arched, classically-detailed bridge spanning Swardon Burn. Weathered sandstone ashlar; coursed abutments; coursed soffit. Ashlar voussoirs to round-arched openings; full-width architraved string courses; corniced eaves beneath parapets (originally balustraded). Full-height channelled pilasters flanking openings with surmounting rectangular piers terminating parapets; engaged sandstone balusters in place; remainder missing. Splayed retaining walls to side embankments. — B Group comprises Marchmont House, Adam Bridge, the Cottages near the Remains of Redbraes Castle, the Dovecot, Gamekeeper's Cottage, Ice House, The Kennel House, 1 & 2 Marchmont Estate Cottages, Redbraes, Stable Courtyard and the Walled Garden (see separate list entries). A much-weathered bridge, forming part of one of the drives accessing Marchmont House. Known as the 'Adam' Bridge, possibly as a result of William Adam's association with the house - his plans for a new house commissioned in 1724 (unexecuted) and the surrounding landscape probably laid out to his design in the later 1720s. According to a work book held in the SRO, George Paterson (noted in 1770 as "...the most reasonable and least expensive architect in this country") began work on the bridge in 1759. Balustraded parapets removed and replaced with timber fencing late 20th century. Overgrowth obscuring N elevation 1998.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.