Local residents, schoolchildren and community representatives came together on Monday 26 October 2026 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the historic chain bridge linking Melrose and Gattonside.
The bridge crosses the River Tweed, linking Melrose with the village of Gattonside on the north bank. It was formally opened on 26 October 1826.
200 year anniversary
The event was planned to recognise the bridge’s enduring importance to both communities, exactly 200 years after it was formally opened.
The Chain Bridge is a much-loved landmark and an important link between Melrose and Gattonside. Today’s anniversary celebration gave local communities the opportunity to recognise its history and the generations of local people who have crossed it.
Councillor Jenny Linehan, Councillor for Leaderdale and Melrose and Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport
“Today’s celebration brought both sides of the river together and gave local children a memorable way to take part in this important anniversary.”
The programme included prayers led by Pip Blackledge Minister at Holy Trinity and Rosie Frew Minister at Bowden and Melrose Parish Church, followed by a piper crossing the bridge, escorting representatives from Gattonside and Melrose for a symbolic handshake at the centre of the bridge.
Children from St Mary’s School and Melrose Primary School were also invited to take part in a traditional game of Poohsticks.
The National Transport Trust states that the bridge was probably built by engineer J.S. Brown and contractors Redpath, Brown and Company. It features castellated masonry pylons, two pairs of iron-link chains on each side, iron-rod suspenders supporting the wooden deck, and iron railings. It spans approximately 91 metres (300 feet). In 1928, the original contractors, Redpath, Brown & Company, carried out refurbishment work free of charge.
The bridge underwent major repairs in 1991, when the chains and footway were removed and repaired, and the ‘swing’ was eliminated.
The celebration marked a significant milestone in the history of the bridge and the two communities it has connected for 200 years.
The house at the end of the bridge, which is still occupied, was once the toll house and was built at the same time as the bridge. Before the wooden porch was added, the door faced directly along the bridge, allowing the toll keeper to see whether anyone was crossing and how many people were on the bridge.
Because a toll had to be paid to cross the bridge, the ford remained in use for many years. A box of stilts was kept at each end for people crossing the river, and as late as 1929 the refuse cart frequently used the ford when travelling to and from Gattonside.