As we know the bridge across the Dee in Kirkcudbright has been an issue of late. The bridge is now restricted access causing a few problems and longer routes for some but considering she is 100 years old on the 19^th November 2026 I would say she looks well.  The bridge was never built with the vehicles of today in mind so under that intense pressure compared to the horse, and carriages, or the rare earliest motor vehicles she has stood the test of time well. Riverbeds move and shift with time and tide, but she still stands. Including being broadsided by the fully loaded oil tanker, Kis skou in 1975.

Unlike her predecessor she is a static bridge, the larger boats access to Tongland stopping when it was built. Not surprisingly it replaced a bridge inadequate for the traffic using it. As in many stories through time, history repeats itself. Advancement and change will always cause items and structures to run their course not always to our convenience.

A quick history of the crossings in the Dee is simple. On the older maps it is noted where fords cross, and ferries dock. All in similar places to the site of the bridge. The ferry being replaced by the first Bridge with its formal opening on the 8^th   of July 1868 which stood till its next replacement in 1926. This second bridge now faces replacement after 100 years of use.

At the museum, on display, we have a model of the ferry made by John Murray, whose father helped in the maintenance of the ferry. Donated in his father’s memory in 1881. The ferry itself was dismantled but many items were made from the old timbers as a keepsake. We also have the nameplates belonging to the original bridge attached to the railings outside the museum. These were gifted by the engineering company that built the bridge. The Middlesborough company Hopkins, Gilkes & Co got the tender for the build, once the contract was signed and authorised, the start of work commenced from the 25^th if March 1867.

The bridge had 6 spans and was a series of wrought iron bow trusses. Also known as Bowstring trusses, these are arched supports often seen in bridges or ceilings. In amongst the trusses, you could find Ornate Victorian Lamps. These column lamps can still be seen in today’s bridge although this bridge

has only 5 spans. She was designed and built by Blyth and Blyth and L G Mouchel, engineers, and John Angus and Sons, contractor. Lady Hope-Dunbar officially opened the bridge on the 19^th of November, not quite the Countess of Galloway gun salvo and parade the first bridge received but still a very ceremonially event for the time.  We wait to see what comes next for the Centenarian.

Thanks to Alan Crossan, whose uncle appears in the image. For various articles on our website about the crossing of the Dee. https://www.kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk/?s=Bridge

Stretching along the Ken-Dee valley from Carsphairn in the north to Tongland in the south, is a remarkable feat of engineering, renowned for its stylish architecture. This talk explored the history, construction and operation of the Galloway Hydro-Power Scheme how it has evolved over 90 years, and the challenges of running it.

Click on the link for the recording on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYrKhXFicr8&t=13s

William Anderson was born in 1919 at Mutehill.  Here his daughter Mary Warner shares her father’s account of his experiences during the Second World War.

William was encouraged by his family to make a record of his life, particularly for his grandchildren. Much of what follows is either a direct quote from his recollections or a synopsis of his comments.

William was born in 1919 at Mutehill. He recalled his childhood as not easy by the standards of today but a happy one. Before school he would milk his Grandmothers cows and then walk into Kirkcudbright to attend the Johnston School. He enjoyed school days and had a lifelong love of learning. Many years later William proudly showed his children his name on the Dux Board which was then in the entrance hall. The Academy proved to be equally as happy for William. He could still recite the school song well into his nineties. He excelled in his academic studies but was told by the Woodwork master that “you will have to make your living with your brains boy because you won’t make it with your hands”.

Family finances meant that William could not continue his education so he became a Grocers Boy, making deliveries in the town and countryside on his trusty bike.

Life was to change though in 1939. William volunteered for military service in June and made his first ever train trip to go to Dumfries for his medical. He wanted to join the local regiment, KOSB’s and was duly called to Berwick to enlist. After a period of training William and comrades were on coastal defence duties until the threat of invasion seemed over. He then volunteered for the Far East leaving from The Clyde on 16^th February 1942.

The highlight of the voyage for William was being elected to represent his draft in a spelling Bee. He records that he “won in a very tough contest against a Green Howard.” He would always say that it showed the benefits of his Academy education.

Upon disembarkation his detachment travelled to Razmak to join the rest of the Regiment on mostly border defence roles. Meantime the Japanese Army had not only captured Singapore and Malaya but fought their way through Burma and were now on the threshold of India and inevitably more troops were needed to support battle weary soldiers already there.

The journey to Burma saw their first experience of monsoons and the need for vigilance over the local wildlife.  Shoes and sleeping bags had to be checked before you ventured into them. Dad did comment though that he saw very little in the way of monkeys or snakes who all seemed to be put off by the sound of war.

It soon became clear that “We were headed to the dreaded Arakan, a place which drew the same feelings of dread from us as The Somme must have done to the previous generation”.

Most of the roads and tracks were impassable to wheeled vehicles so every journey (except one, of which more later), would be made on foot. Each soldier carried his own rifle and kit bag which would get heavier as it got more and more sodden. The mules would carry heavier equipment particularly artillery and were invaluable for all troop movements.

Continue reading…

Remembrance Sunday 2026. 8^th November

Poppy cascade at the Castle. Post box topper on Castle Street. Poppy stanchions at the Harbour Square. Poppy cross marking War Graves in the cemetery. These were placed by Ian Swan and funded by Kirkcudbright History Society.

Stretching along the Ken-Dee valley from Carsphairn in the north to Tongland in the south, the Galloway Hydro-Power Scheme is a remarkable feat of engineering, renowned for its stylish architecture. Our November talk will be Martin McGhie from Drax exploring its history, construction and operation, how it has evolved over 90 years, and the challenges of running it.

The meeting takes place in Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11^th November.  It will also be available on Zoom.

Visitors (£5) are welcome in the hall or on Zoom. As it will be a popular subject please register for Zoom in good time.

For Zoom details contact the Web Secretary on: secretary@kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk

Today’s Museum photo shows an Academy class with Mrs Collin as the teacher. I recognise two names: Anne Moss (Mullender) and Moira Davidson (Jones). Posting it made me realise that I’m the modern-day equivalent of Jeanette Millar’s window. How m

any of you remember it?