A FAVOURITE haunt for Peeblesshire walkers and cyclists is back in pristine condition - as can been seen by this picture.

The iconic Old Manor Bridge has undergone a transformation thanks to a restoration programme carried out by estate owners Wemyss & March.

The hump-backed bridge, built in 1702 by Lord William Douglas, the Earl of March, is at the foot of Manor Sware and gives access to some of the most attractive parts of the upper Tweed Valley.

It used to be open to vehicular traffic but was closed several years ago by the council after being deemed unsafe.

Funding to pay for restoration work was difficult to come by - an application for Lottery help was refused - but eventually Wemyss & March and Scottish Borders Council managed to put a package together.

John Swanson, a former Peebles community councillor, took the pictures.

He said: “The estate has done a great job in restoring the bridge. They have managed to put all the stonework back in place and tarred the road.

“There was an outcry when the council had to close it and when I was on the community council we pushed for work to be done.

“It is important to preserve the bridge - it used to be on the main road westwards out of Peebles.

“I doubt it’ll ever be used by vehicular traffic again but it’s always been popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

“I know they’ve been working it on for maybe six months. The cyclists and walkers were still able to use the bridge while the work was going on but it was only a few weeks ago that all the scaffolding came down.” Luke Comins, of Tweed Forum, said: “Scottish Borders Council are responsible for some 1,400 bridges and they did find it difficult to put the funding together to restore the bridge.

“In the end Wemyss & March agreed to take on the maintenance and they’ve done a great job. They’ve secured it for the future.”