For over 300 years it provided the lowest crossing point of the Forth and so had strategic importance.

Tolls were levied on goods being taken across the bridge.

[3]: 114 In December 1745 General Blakeney, lieutenant governor of Stirling Castle, had one of the bridge arches destroyed to hinder the movement of the Jacobite Army.

[4][5] In May 1833 the adjacent new road bridge was opened to traffic and the Old Bridge was closed to wheeled traffic.

[1][3]: 196 The bridge was designated as a Category A Listed Building in 1965.