Archaeology Notes
Event ID 843585
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/843585
NO29SE 8 26599 94252
Suspension Bridge [NAT]
OS 1:10,000 map, 1972.
Not to be confused with (successor) Crathie Plate-girder Bridge (NO 26210 94923), for which see NO29SE 10.
For Balmoral Castle (NO 2550 9495) and related monuments, see NO29NE 15.00.
(Location cited as NO 267 943). Suspension bridge, built 1834 by engineers J Justice Junior and Co, Dundee and 'renewed' c. 1885 by Blaikie Bros, Aberdeen, at the expense of Queen Victoria. An early example of a flat-link, chain-suspension bridge, with diagonal rod bracing and a wooden deck. The pylons are braced wrought-iron structures. Designed for vehicular traffic, but now used for foot passengers only.
J R Hume 1977a.
(Suspension bridge of John Justice type: location cited as NO 267 943). Built 1834 by John Justice and Co, engineers, and 'renewed' c. 1885 by Blaikie Bros. engineers, Aberdeen, at the expense of Queen Victoria. Wrought-iron pylons, flat-link chains (2 links wide), iron rod stay chains, deck frame and underbracing, wooden carriageway. Built as road bridge, now public footbridge.
J R Hume 1977b.
(Name cited as Crathie Suspension Bridge). Situated on the B976 public road half a mile E of Balmoral Castle (NO29NE 15.00), this is the earliest suspension bridge on Upper Deeside, having been built in 1834 and renewed in 1885 at the Queen's expense. Built by Justice Junior and Co. of Dundee, it was then the main way across the river to the castle, and so was made wide enough to take carriages. The extra width gives it an added charm.
The abutments are solid with rounded cutwaters and a flood arch on each side under the shorebays. The chain is not, in this early and unorthodox example of a suspension bridge, a metal rope, but a succession of paired flat links. Four diagonal rods ray out from each tapering wrought-iron pylon. These continue below the deck to provide bracing, and below there are truss rods It is an unusual bridge by the man who was experimenting with suspension methods; he also built the bridge at Glenisla, Angus [Kirkton of Glenisla: NO26SW 8].
The extent of the renewal works (also by Blaike) in 1885 is unclear.
G Nelson 1990.
Crathie Suspension Bridge, 1834, J Justice Jr. Slender lattice pylons and wooden decking, partly renewed 1885, by Blaikie Bros; the original shuddering access to Balmoral.
J Geddes 2001.
This bridge carries a path or track across the River Dee between Aspenholm (to the N) and Easter Balmoral (to the S). It formerly gave access to Balmoral Castle (NO29NE 15.00) through the policies to the E.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 4 January 2006.
