A couple of months ago, Kirkcudbright was hit with some tough news: its iconic bridge over the River Dee had to close indefinitely for essential repairs. With no clear reopening date and only pedestrian and cycle access allowed, the impact was immediate — and for many residents and businesses, deeply felt.
Families living across the bridge in The Merse found themselves cut off from loved ones. Local businesses on both sides of town faced reduced footfall and uncertain weeks ahead.
But now, there’s some long-awaited good news.
The bridge is due to reopen to cars and vans on Tuesday, 2nd July.
Restrictions will remain in place, but this marks a huge step forward for reconnecting the town and boosting access for locals and visitors alike.
You Don’t Have to Wait to Visit
In the meantime — Kirkcudbright is still very much open for business.
There are three alternative routes into town that are open right now:
- From the A75 via the main approach
- From the Dundrennan direction
- And from Dalbeattie via the B727
If you’re thinking about heading into town for a day out, a bite to eat, or some summer shopping — there’s absolutely nothing stopping you.
A Community Pulling Together
With support from Business Gateway Dumfries & Galloway, we recently hosted a social media workshop for local businesses in Kirkcudbright to help them stay visible through the disruption.
As a follow-up, we’ve created a short video showcasing the town, celebrating the businesses that attended the workshop, and reminding everyone that Kirkcudbright is still thriving — full of independent shops, creativity, hospitality, and community spirit.
