Dreel Bridge

Dreel Bridge

Dreel Bridge carries the A917 across the Dreel Burn in the pretty coastal village of Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife. It is a single stone arch spanning the small stream which forms the boundary between Easter and Wester Anstruther (pronounced Anster). There are a variety of date stones on the western parapet, including two bearing the date of 1630. This seems to be the first date that a bridge was erected here, although it is unclear how much of the stonework survives from that date. Another stone states that the bridge was rebuilt in 1795, and records show that further rebuilding took place in 1831. The bridge has also been widened on the eastern side, although it is not clear when this was done, it may have been in 1831, but is more likely to be more recent.

The bridge now carries a narrow S2 carriageway between narrow pavements and stone parapets. These parapets continue some distance on the north bank, curving with the road towards the east. The bridge itself is a very plain structure, perhaps reflecting its chequered history.