Ballantrae Bridge carries the A77 across the River Stinchar at the southern end of the village of Ballantrae on the Ayrshire coast. The modern bridge is a twin span concrete deck structure dating from the 1970s. The main span almost crosses the river by itself, with the second span crossing the northern bank and providing extra capacity when the river is in flood. However the pier sits in the river bed very close to the northern bank, and is protected by a substantial triangular cutwater. The bridge crosses at a slight angle and carries a wide S2 carriageway with pavements between metal railings as parapets.
Old Bridge
Standing a short distance upstream, the old bridge consists of two stone arches spanning the river, with the central pier in the riverbed, albeit founded on a rocky outcrop towards the northern bank. The bridge is normally dated to 1770, but a letter from the landowner dated to August 1776 refers to the difficult job of building the foundations that summer. The two arches have ashlar arch rings with a drip mould above, but the main body of the structure is built from rubble stone, reputedly taken from the ruinous Ardstinchar Castle which stands on the hillside above the bridge. There is a substantial triangular cutwater protecting the pier, which rises as a semi-circular pedestrian refuge on either side of the roadway. The road itself is narrow, certainly not wide enough for modern traffic to pass, with a pronounced climb on the approach on the southern bank. The northern approach is also awkward, being pinched by two old cottages sitting either side of the road.
Junction
At the northern end of the bridge, the A77 meets the western end of the B7044, which follows the river upstream. The junction is a simple T junction, with the B7044 now following a short section of the former A77 along Mains Road to the old bridge, which is closed to traffic by a line of bollards. The actual junction has been turned to form a square T junction, rather than use the fork that followed the old A77 line more directly - a short section of the old road is now used as parking for the houses alongside. An old, restored, milestone stands opposite the junction.
