Guardbridge

Infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Guardbridge
gaelic_name= Geàrd Drochaid
scots_name= Gaire Brig
population= 627 [cite web | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=guardbridge&mainLevel=Locality | title=Guardbridge | publisher=Scotland Census 2001 | accessdate=2007-05-03]
map_type=Scotland
os_grid_reference= NO466189
unitary_scotland= Fife
latitude=56.35940
longitude=-2.86583
lieutenancy_scotland= Fife
constituency_westminster= North East Fife
constituency_scottish_parliament= Fife North East
post_town= Kirkcaldy
postcode_district = KY16
postcode_area= KY
dial_code= 01334

Guardbridge is a village in north-east Fife, Scotland.

It is approximately 3 miles (5 kilometres) north-west of St. Andrews, and is situated on the estuary of the River Eden. It stands at the junction of the A91 St. Andrews - Stirling road and the A919/A914 Leuchars - Tay Road Bridge road.

The six-arched Old Guard Bridge ("Gaire Brig") was built in the fifteenth century by Bishop Henry Wardlaw of St. Andrews and repaired a century later by Archbishop James Beaton. It is reputed that during the Middle Ages pilgrims gathered here before making the final journey under guard to the holy shrine at St. Andrews. "Gare Brigensius" (Latin) was the name of the medieval settlement which gives the village its modern name. This was situated slightly north of the site of Kinnear Court, on the west bank of the River Eden near to the bridge head of today.In 1873, William Haig and two of his sons formed the Guardbridge Paper Company to find a more profitable use for their Seggie whisky distillery which had been established there since 1810. The mill went into production in 1874. As the mill developed the village grew around it, with new housing and roads to attract and accommodate workers. Before the First World War the labour force reached over 400, reaching a peak of 620 in the late 1950s.

The paper mill remains the main local industry and is operated by Curtis Fine Papers.

Many locals employed elsewhere in Fife, Dundee, Edinburgh or even further afield.

The village has become a very popular place of residence due to its close proximity to St Andrews.

Guardbridge has a number of local amenities including a school, general store, garages, hotel, takeaway food shop, hairdresser, furniture maker, and bowling and fishing clubs.

References