Cambus O' May bridge
Coordinates57°03′57.1″N 2°57′24.3″W / 57.065861°N 2.956750°W / 57.065861; -2.956750
CarriesFootpath
CrossesRiver Dee
LocaleCambus O' May
OwnerAberdeenshire Council
Characteristics
DesignSuspension bridge
Total length164 feet (50 m)
Width4 feet (1.2 m)
Traversable?Yes
No. of spans1
Piers in water0
Load limitPedestrians only
History
Opened1905
Rebuilt1988, 2020-2021
ReplacesFerry crossing
Location
A view along the deck

The Cambus O' May bridge spans the River Dee to the east of Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was paid for by the estate of Alexander Gordon, who had grown up nearby. The bridge was built in 1905 and is a suspension footbridge 164 feet (50 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide. The bridge was rebuilt in 1988 for safety reasons but was badly damaged in the December 2015 Storm Frank. It was repaired and reopened in April 2021.

Construction

Cambus O' May lies to the east of Ballater, Aberdeenshire and is located on a large bend of the River Dee. Its name derives from the Gaelic Cama a' Mhaigh ("bend of the plain"). Originally a farm it grew to several households and for a while had a railway station.[1] There was originally a ferry crossing of the river at this location.[2] Gordon later moved to England where he prospered in business and made various donations to the Glen Girnock district, including for the construction of the Polhollick Bridge and buildings in Ballater.[3] Some ten years after Gordon's death his estate gave money for the construction of a bridge at Cambus O' May.[4]

The bridge was built in 1905. David McFetrich in An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges (2019) states it was designed and built by Louis Harper but J.R. Hume in Scottish suspension bridges (1977) states it was by the ironfounder James Abernethy.[5][6] Abernethy was a cousin of the civil engineer James Abernethy and his foundry at Aberdeen, James Abernethy & Co, cast the bridge components.[7]

It is a suspension bridge with a deck 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and a clear span of 164 feet (50 m).[5] A 46-inch (120 cm) high lattice truss runs either side of the deck, acting to stiffen the bridge and serve as a parapet. The two steel suspension cables are carried by two tapered lattice towers, which are topped with ball-shaped finials.[5][6]

The Deeside Way, a trail following the former Deeside Railway, passes the north-eastern end of the bridge.[5] The bridge itself forms part of the Cairngorms National Park Core Path Network.[8] Footpaths from the bridge lead to Torphantrick Wood and the Muir of Dinnet nature reserve.[9] The bridge is a popular tourist site and a hotel and restaurant is located at the site.[9]

In 1982 the Kincardine and Deeside District Council carried out a minor renovation that cost £38,482.[10] The bridge was almost completely rebuilt in 1988 for safety reasons, though the original design was retained.[9] The bridge was formally reopened by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother[11]

2015 damage and subsequent repairs

Cambus O' May bridge was severely damaged during Storm Frank in December 2015. The river rose 12 feet (3.7 m) above its usual level and the bridge deck was submerged. The bridge suffered damage from the water and large objects such as trees that were carried in the flow.[12][13]

Rebuilding work was part funded by Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government.[4][11] Further funding was provided by donations from the Ballater Royal Deeside group and a personal pledge from Prince Charles.[14] The total cost was around £400,000.[11]

The rebuilding work started in September 2020.[8] At the end of that month the area was hit by Storm Alex which again caused the Dee to rise and almost submerged the bridge. Although the bridge was then only partly repaired it survived without further damage, though some temporary scaffolding was buckled.[13] Repair work was affected by the third COVID-19 lockdown in January 2021, as works were nearing completion.[15] The bridge eventually re-opened in April 2021, the last bridge in Aberdeenshire damaged by Storm Frank to re-open.[4][14] There was criticism from some parties for the council's decision to retain the turnstiles at each end of the bridge. There were complaints that these made access difficult or impossible for the disabled or people with prams. The council stated that replacing the turnstiles was necessary because of "legal, safety and heritage obligations".[14]

The bridge is Category B listed.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Watson, Adam (16 October 2014). The place names of Upper Deeside. Paragon Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-78222-191-3.
  2. ↑ Fraser, George M. (1921). The Old Deeside Road (Aberdeen to Braemar): Its Course, History, and Associations. Robin Callander. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-907184-00-3.
  3. ↑ The Scots Magazine. D.C. Thomson. 1966. p. 97.
  4. 1 2 3 Porter, David (1 April 2021). "Iconic north-east suspension bridge reopens after major repair works". Grampian Online. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 McFetrich, David (30 April 2019). An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges. Pen and Sword. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-5267-5296-3.
  6. 1 2 "Cambus O' May, Suspension Bridge". Canmore - National Record of the Historic Environment. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Hume, John R. (1977). The Industrial Archaeology of Scotland: The highlands and islands. Macmillan of Canada. p. 101.
  8. 1 2 Kuc, Morag (1 September 2020). "Cambus O' May storm damage repair works underway". Deeside Piper and Herald. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Ross, David. "Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge". Britain Express.
  10. ↑ Scotland, Countryside Commission for (1982). Report. p. 2.
  11. 1 2 3 Horgan, Rob (12 January 2021). "Covid delays reopening of 115-year-old Scots suspension bridge damaged in 2015 floods". New Civil Engineer. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  12. ↑ Media, Newsline (30 December 2015). "Watch: 105-year-old Cambus O' May bridge battered by River Dee". Evening Express. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  13. 1 2 Beattie, Kieran (6 October 2020). "Bridge almost destroyed by Storm Frank narrowly avoids disaster in Storm Alex". Press and Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 Beattie, Kieran (13 April 2021). "Anger as council revamps flood-battered bridge - but leaves turnstile that makes wheelchair access 'impossible'". Press and Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  15. ↑ Beattie, Kieran (12 January 2021). "Repair works on Cambus O'May bridge postponed due to pandemic". Press and Journal.
  16. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "CAMBUS O'MAY, SUSPENSION BRIDGE OVER RIVER DEE (LB9328)". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
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