Stock Bridge (Edinburgh)

Stock Bridge carries the B900 across the Water of Leith to the north of Edinburgh's New Town. The bridge is a single span stone arch which was originally constructed in 1786, before the area was particularly built up. However, prior to Telford's Dean Bridge further upstream, it seems likely that this was one of the main routes between Edinburgh and Queensferry. Before the bridge was built, the only crossing was a ford near the site of the present crossing, or a narrow wooden footbridge unsuitable for horses or carts. The original road bridge, built by the Cramond District Board Trustees, was 18 ft wide. It was widened in 1830.

The bridge was widened again in 1901 by Mr Proudfoot, the City Road Surveyor, and evidence for this can be seen on the northern side, where a glance under the arch reveals that the bridge has been refaced, widened by about a foot. This involved curving the parapet at the eastern corner around into Hamilton Place, and so the arch itself is swept around too, creating an unusual feature. The face of the bridge is otherwise only lightly decorated with a string course at roadway level, and a coat of arms above in the parapet which is topped by chamfered coping stones. Unfortunately, due to tree growth on the south side of the bridge, it is difficult to see whether the bridge was widened on this side too. The detailing is the same, however, which suggests that it probably was.

The bridge now carries three lanes of the B900, which swings into Hamilton Place, so requiring a turning lane and traffic lights on the eastern bank of the river. There are also wide pavements on either side.