WoSAS Pin 51549
NS 6795 6192
The remains of a single arch span bridge over the river North Calder Water at Daldowie was identified by Murray, just upstream of its confluence with the Clyde, on the Glasgow city boundary with South Lanarkshire. This bridge was mentioned by Hamilton of Wishaw in his book (approx.1620?). There is also a bridge depicted at this position by Timothy Pont in his manuscript of 1596 and it was repeated by Joannes Blaue in his 1654 atlas. Whether it is the remains of that one or a later build, Murray does not know.
Information from Robert Murray, via email
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 13/07/2005
A crossing of the Calder, annotated as 'Calderbridge' and occupying the approximate location identified by Murray, was depicted on Roy's Military Survey of 1747-55. On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1864, the line of the road had altered, and the most southerly crossing point shown lay to the north of the bridge depicted on Roy. No bridge was specifically depicted on the 1st edition in the location identified by Murray, though there is a solid block shown to the west of Clydeside Cottage, which may represent the structure. The bridge does not appear on current OS maps of the area, and it is unclear whether the bridge identified by Murray remains intact.
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 13/07/2005
The Roy map is correct in the position of both bridges. The northern one was built to carry the Glasgow - Edinburgh via Shotts turnpike and there is still a bridge on the same spot. The 1860 map shows the then new Telford bridge in addition to the above and of course the lower (first) bridge was by then no longer in use as the original coach road had been superceded by the Telford road. The 'solid block' shown on the 1st edition opposite Clydeside House was a pool and there is still a pool there - though it looks like a natural marsh now. The old bridge remains are a few metres to the right of that. It crossed the river at an oblique angle (more southerly on the Daldowie bank). Getting close to the requires dry weather and a low water level on the river as the only way to inspect is to get onto the riverbed.
Information from Robert Murray, via email
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 14/07/2005