Bridge of Don

Category

Library Item

Item no

1451

Title

Bridge of Don

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1805

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This bridge over the River Don was originally known as the Brig O' Balgownie. It is said to have been built either on the order of King Robert the Bruce or by Bishop Henry Cheyne. It was constructed by Richard Cementarius and reached completion in 1320 during the Scottish Wars of Independence. It gave access to the new and old towns of Aberdeen from the north providing an alternative to ford or ferry. The bridge has a simple Gothic arch which is 67 ft at its widest expanse. The Bridge is very famous, mentioned in poetry from 'Thomas the Rhymer' to Lord Byron who remembered it from his youth. In 1605 Alexander Hay left lands with a yearly income in order to keep the 'Auld Brig' in good repair. From this fund the new Bridge of Don was built around 1825.

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Transport > Land > Horse and carts

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