A late 13th century wooden structure on this site was Glasgow's first bridge, soon replaced by a handsome eight arched stone bridge built at the instigation of Bishop Rae in 1345.
The old city centre, now known as the Merchant
City grew up on the north bank of the river, around the
bridge.
For 400 years Bishop's Bridge was the lowest bridge crossing of
the Clyde. The bridge has been widened and rebuilt several
times, most notably by Thomas Telford in 1821. The present
much larger sandstone structure, designed by
the London firm of James Walker, is faced with Irish
granite from Dun Laoghaire.
Also at Victoria Bridge and the Merchant City (Back to
Listing)