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Bridges over the River Leven. | |
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The Bawbee Brig Before the year 1836, the only bridge over the River Leven was at Dumbarton, a bridge which had been started in 1765 but was not completed until 1768. For people living in the Vale of Leven, getting from one side of the river to the other was not axl easy task. There was a ford situated roughly around Dalmonacht and it is difficult to imagine anyone managing to make such a crossing without getting at least some of their clothing rather wet, because the river is not tidal at that point and therefore not subject co upper and lower levels of Water. Admiral Smollett installed a ferry at the same point as the ford, Which was much to many people's relief but it was a very cumbersome kind of craft indeed. It was operated by the use of a chain which in turn was fixed to a huge stone placed in the river beds and the ferryman had to haul on the chain to bring the ferry back and forth from the banks of the river. |
The bridge was completed in July 1836 much to the joy of Vale dwellers and a huge crowd turned out for the opening ceremony. Flags and bunting fluttered around the bridge area and plenty of ale was consumed. A young man called Janles McIntyre was in line to collect the first halfpenny, for this was to be a toll bridge and from then on it was know as The Bawbee Brig. Eventually, the Admiral allowed the bridge to be taken into public ownership. The signing of the documents for such took place in 1878. Much to the Vale folk's chagrin. However, this did not mean the end of the toll for it was argued that there was still money to be paid to the original opener, and the Bawbees had still to be paid over until the month of May 1895. This great day was announced in the press and there was a great parade. Such was the size of the pageant that when it started out from a field at Ladyton farm, there were still people there, at the end of the procession, hen the head of the parade was at the bridge. As well as people, |
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In the early 1800's with the advent and growth of the textile industry into the Vale areas more and more people needed to cross the rivers going to and from to the various factories, like Levenbank, Ferryfield and Dillichip, for the industry was booming and workers moved around from factory to factory quite readily. To gain even an extra three pence a week. In the early 1800's with the advent and growth of the textile industry into the Vale areas more and more people needed to cross the rivers going to and from to the various factories, like Levenbank, Ferryfield and Dillichip, for the industry was booming and workers moved around from factory to factory quite readily. To gain even an extra three pence a week. It was soon obvious then, that the ferry was no longer the ideal way of crossing the river, and Admiral Smollett was prevailed upon to have a proper bridge Built. At first he was not too keen but soon realised that there could be quite a bit of money to be made from the venture and agreed to hate it done. |
there were Carts with decorated scenes on them, four brass bands played and at the appointed time, twelve noon, the last Bawbee toll was paid over, and there to collect it was the same James Mclntyre who had gathered in the first one. The Bawbee brig has been replaced by to others, both of which have been named the Rainbow Bridge because of their shapes, but the original brig Still has a place having been landscaped into the west bank of the river near its original position. |
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