Tower Bridge (the Double Bridge)

You’ll understand the nickname as soon as you see it. Fife Council calls this the Double Bridge: a bridge built on top of a bridge over the Tower Burn, on the walk from the Abbey side of Pittencrieff Park into the centre of the Glen. Historic Environment Scotland describes a semicircular arch of 1780 raised above a pointed arch of 1611. A carved panel on the lower arch is dated 1611, with the initials A R; another on the upper arch is inscribed “rebuilt 1780.” A keystone below is marked 1788, probably a repair, and James Shearer’s parapets of 1915 are dated on the inside of the north parapet.

The lower bridge carried the main road west of Dunfermline across the burn. In the later 18th century, HES records, the road was diverted away from the grounds of Pittencrieff House, and the bridge and approach were raised to give more level access to the house. When Carnegie bought the house and park in 1902 and opened the grounds in 1903, the stacked arches became one of the park’s historic features rather than a main road.

Fife Council notes that one of the main entrances, next to the Abbey, leads across this bridge into the centre of the park, and that Moodie Street and St Margaret’s Street drop you into the lower glen below. It’s a good place to pause and look down at the older arch, then up towards the palace ruins. The park is open all year; watch your step on the paths in the glen, especially after rain. The bridge is Category B listed, and like the rest of the historic fabric here it’s to be looked at, not climbed.