A bridge that has carried folk over the river Eden since the 16th century appears to have succumbed to this winter’s severe weather.
Ice is suspected to have caused structural damage to medieval Dairsie Bridge, on the C45 road between Dairsie and Kemback.
The stone, arched bridge which is protected as a category-A listed building and as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic Scotland was closed on Friday and vehicles have been prevented from crossing.
It bears the arms and initials of James Beaton of Balfour, the Archbishop of St Andrews between 1522 and 1539, and is thought to have been constructed during his episcopate around 1530.
Nearby Dairsie Castle was a property of the archbishops of St Andrews until the early 16th century.
Fife councillor Mike Scott-Hayward, who lives in Kemback, said, “The bridge has been there since the 1500s. It has withstood all the winters since then but this winter has got to it.”
He said that although the C45 was a rural road it was a busy one, claiming, “A lot of people come over the bridge as a short-cut from Dundee to the south.”
While the closure will mean a detour for people who live in the area, it is likely some will welcome the reduction in traffic on the twisting, narrow route past their homes.
A spokeswoman for Fife Council said cracks had appeared in the structure and it had been closed as a precaution.
It was not yet known what had caused the damage, but a structural engineer is to be asked to assess its condition.
Until the results of the survey were known, she said, it was impossible to say what action would be necessary and when the bridge would be reopened.
Road closure information has been issued and signs put up.
Dairsie Bridge’s closure comes amid concerns about potential damage from leaking water and the thaw to a busy bridge in St Andrews.
Residents are worried about the stone structure on St Mary Street, which carries the A917 road from Crail and Anstruther over the Kinness burn.
Last year the historic bridge was closed as Scottish Water carried out repairs after a water main burst and cracks appeared on its surface.
However, water has been leaking through the bridge since then.
It is feared the recent snow and ice may have exacerbated any problems in the bridge.