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Tibbie's Brig

According to local folklore, poetess Isabel "Tibbie" Pagan (1741 - 1820) was a friend of Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns.

Having spent some of her childhood days in New Cumnock, Tibbie moved to Muirkirk in 1785.
As was typical of the time, Tibbie's education was rather limited. Her main source of income was from writing and reciting poetry and songs.
A volume of her works was published in 1803.
"Ca' the Yowes" is (at least in part) attributed to Tibbie, although it did not appear in this volume - the reason for this is unclear.

Oh....I almost forgot.....it is alleged that this meagre income was supplemented by selling illicit whisky!

(Extract from the poem "Southside Memories" by James Strickland c1900)

To wander round by Tibbie's Brig,
To sit in Ferny Grove,
To view the hills and valleys where
Long since I used to rove

Tibbie's Brig, 5th May 2000

Tibbie's Brig (or Garpel Bridge as it was originally known) was built in 1793 to provide a safer means of crossing Garpel Water en route to Muirkirk. The main mode of transport in those days was of course the coach and horse.

(If you were lucky, you could have the GTI model - with two horses!)

The only means of traversing the Garpel was by a ford, which could prove a risky business with the water in full flow.

I am sure Coach passengers of the day would welcome the new bridge crossing with open arms (not to mention bruised cheeks!)

Tibbie's Brig has long been a favoured beauty spot with Muirkirk folks. It was common for a group of adults to head out to Tibbie's Brig in order to "dam up" the water, so creating a deep pool for swimming in time for the local school's summer holidays.

Time had not been kind to Tibbie's Brig. Since it bore historic significance like the Sanquhar Brig (P8) which had been restored in 1993, it was commonly felt that urgent action should be taken to return it to its former glory.
Muirkirk Community Council therefore rebuilt Tibbie's Brig and it was officially opened in 1995.

Here's to the next 200 years!

Slainte!

Still as popular as ever, it is no longer a necessity to physically "dam-up" the river since, at the time of the brig's reconstruction, a considerable quantity of material was excavated from the river bed, thereby deepening the pool on a permanent basis.

Tibbie's Brig from water level

Tibbie's Brig plaque
Plaque on Southern wall
(showing reflection of gawky taking photo)

Tibbie's Brig memorial plaque
Commemorative Plaque on Northern wall

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P1 Stuart's homepage | P2 Wardlaw S D B Index | P3 The Wardlaw Sound

P4 Wardlaw S D B history | P5 About the name | P6 Muirkirk

P7 Macadam's Stone | P8 Sanquhar Brig | P9 Tibbie's Brig | P10 Favourite Links

Last updated 1st January 2010

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Stuart Thomson

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