Cambus O' May bridge
{{Short description|Bridge in Aberdeenshire, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Cambus O' May bridge
| image = File:Cambus o' May Suspension Bridge (geograph 6705813).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|57|03|57.1|N|2|57|24.3|W|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference =
| carries = Footpath
| crosses = River Dee
| locale = Cambus O' May
| official_name =
| other_name =
| named_for =
| owner = Aberdeenshire Council
| design = Suspension bridge
| length = {{convert|164|ft|m}}
| width = {{convert|4|ft|m}}
| height =
| depth =
| traversable = Yes
| mainspan =
| number_spans = 1
| piers_in_water = 0
| load = Pedestrians only
| lanes =
| open = 1905
| rebuilt = 1988, 2020-2021
| replaces = Ferry crossing
| replaced_by =
}}
File:Cambus o' May Suspension Bridge (geograph 6764787).jpg
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 {{convert|164|ft|m}} long and {{convert|4|ft|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.{{cite book |last1=Watson |first1=Adam |title=The place names of Upper Deeside |date=16 October 2014 |publisher=Paragon Publishing |isbn=978-1-78222-191-3 |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChYMBgAAQBAJ |language=en}} There was originally a ferry crossing of the river at this location.{{cite book |last1=Fraser |first1=George M. |title=The Old Deeside Road (Aberdeen to Braemar): Its Course, History, and Associations |date=1921 |publisher=Robin Callander |isbn=978-0-907184-00-3 |page=197 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LiM3AQAAMAAJ |language=en}} 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.{{cite book |title=The Scots Magazine |date=1966 |publisher=D.C. Thomson |page=97 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LJMeAQAAMAAJ |language=en}} Some ten years after Gordon's death his estate gave money for the construction of a bridge at Cambus O' May.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=David |title=Iconic north-east suspension bridge reopens after major repair works |url=https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/iconic-north-east-suspension-bridge-reopens-after-major-repa-233696/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Grampian Online |date=1 April 2021 |language=en}}
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.{{cite web |title=Cambus O' May, Suspension Bridge |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/33994/cambus-o-may-suspension-bridge |website=Canmore - National Record of the Historic Environment |access-date=27 July 2021 |language=en}} Abernethy was a cousin of the civil engineer James Abernethy and his foundry at Aberdeen, James Abernethy & Co, cast the bridge components.{{cite book |last1=Hume |first1=John R. |title=The Industrial Archaeology of Scotland: The highlands and islands |date=1977 |publisher=Macmillan of Canada |page=101 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxEBAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}
It is a suspension bridge with a deck {{convert|4|ft|m}} wide and a clear span of {{convert|164|ft|m}}. A {{convert|46|in|cm|adj=on}} 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.{{cite book |last1=McFetrich |first1=David |title=An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges |date=30 April 2019 |publisher=Pen and Sword |isbn=978-1-5267-5296-3 |page=197 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tE8IEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}
The Deeside Way, a trail following the former Deeside Railway, passes the north-eastern end of the bridge. The bridge itself forms part of the Cairngorms National Park Core Path Network. Footpaths from the bridge lead to Torphantrick Wood and the Muir of Dinnet nature reserve.{{cite news |last1=Ross |first1=David |title=Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge |url=https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=5040 |work=Britain Express |language=en}} The bridge is a popular tourist site and a hotel and restaurant is located at the site.
In 1982 the Kincardine and Deeside District Council carried out a minor renovation that cost £38,482.{{cite book |last1=Scotland |first1=Countryside Commission for |title=Report |date=1982 |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AE8oAQAAIAAJ |language=en}} The bridge was almost completely rebuilt in 1988 for safety reasons, though the original design was retained. The bridge was formally reopened by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother{{cite news |last1=Horgan |first1=Rob |title=Covid delays reopening of 115-year-old Scots suspension bridge damaged in 2015 floods |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/covid-delays-reopening-of-115-year-old-scots-suspension-bridge-damaged-in-2015-floods-12-01-2021/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=New Civil Engineer |date=12 January 2021 |language=en}}
2015 damage and subsequent repairs
Cambus O' May bridge was severely damaged during Storm Frank in December 2015. The river rose {{convert|12|ft|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.{{cite news |last1=Media |first1=Newsline |title=Watch: 105-year-old Cambus O' May bridge battered by River Dee |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/watch-105-year-old-cambus-o-may-bridge-battered-by-river-dee1/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Evening Express |date=30 December 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Beattie |first1=Kieran |title=Bridge almost destroyed by Storm Frank narrowly avoids disaster in Storm Alex |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/2543488/bridge-almost-destroyed-by-storm-frank-narrowly-avoids-disaster-in-storm-alex/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Press and Journal |date=6 October 2020}}
Rebuilding work was part funded by Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government. Further funding was provided by donations from the Ballater Royal Deeside group and a personal pledge from Prince Charles.{{cite news |last1=Beattie |first1=Kieran |title=Anger as council revamps flood-battered bridge - but leaves turnstile that makes wheelchair access 'impossible' |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/3048598/anger-as-council-revamps-flood-battered-bridge-but-leaves-turnstile-that-makes-wheelchair-access-impossible/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Press and Journal |date=13 April 2021}} The total cost was around £400,000.
The rebuilding work started in September 2020.{{cite news |last1=Kuc |first1=Morag |title=Cambus O' May storm damage repair works underway |url=https://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/people/cambus-o-may-storm-damage-repair-works-underway-2957875 |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Deeside Piper and Herald |date=1 September 2020 |language=en}} 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. Repair work was affected by the third COVID-19 lockdown in January 2021, as works were nearing completion.{{cite news |last1=Beattie |first1=Kieran |title=Repair works on Cambus O'May bridge postponed due to pandemic |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/2804749/repair-works-on-cambus-omay-bridge-postponed-due-to-pandemic/ |work=Press and Journal |date=12 January 2021}} The bridge eventually re-opened in April 2021, the last bridge in Aberdeenshire damaged by Storm Frank to re-open. 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".
The bridge is Category B listed.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB9328 |desc=CAMBUS O'MAY, SUSPENSION BRIDGE OVER RIVER DEE |access-date=22 November 2023}}