Rumbling Bridge Gorge

Rumbling Bridge is a tiny village in Perth and Kinross, nestling under the Ochil Hills, where the A823 leaves the A977, perched on the edge of the River Devon gorge. It lies between Muckhart and Crook of Devon with Powmill half a mile to its south.
It is named after an unusual double (arguably treble) bridge, which gives off a distinctive rumbling reverberation at lower levels.
The "lower" bridge, without parapets, was built in 1713 by William Gray, a mason from Saline. It is 22 feet long and 11 feet wide and 86 feet above the average water level. However, an ancient bridge preceded this and is still (just) visible. It takes the form of a single large stone slab over the river at the very base of the gorge, and was simply a means of crossing for pedestrians without getting their feet wet. This is impossible to date, but is probably at least 800 years old.
The second bridge or Upper Arch (120 feet above the river) was constructed 34 feet above it in 1816 and gave it an easier gradient by removing the steep slope down to the old bridge.
Paths, wooden footbridge and viewing platforms have been constructed by the armed forces. Ironically a more substantial concrete and steel footbridge further upstream has been washed away!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Scotland
• Rumbling Bridge
• village
• double
• bridge
• gorge
• Devil`s Mill
• canyon
• River Devon
• waterfalls
• path
• walking
• river
• water

[bealach]

@ghough12

Yes, I am always amazed at these bridges, built when the heaviest loads would be horse and cart, can support the heaviest HGVs of modern transport! While this road is quiet, many of these old bridges carry busy and heavy traffic!

[ghough12]

It's amazing how the construction of a bridge using the arch technique can take not only its own weight but that of a roadway and vehicles. Providing the support buttress don't move and the stone crumble the bridge should stand for a very long time. thanks for the information on the construction