Royal Deeside
Cambus O'May Suspension Bridge
Introduction
The Cambus O'May bridge crosses the River Dee a few miles east of Ballater. A white-painted suspension footbridge, 164 feet long and just four feet wide, held up by two latticework towers. It bounces a bit underfoot as you cross.
It was built in 1905, paid for by the estate of Alexander Gordon, a local lad who grew up nearby before making his fortune in the brewing trade down in England. The story goes that Gordon had seen a drowning at this stretch of the Dee and wanted a safe crossing built where the old ferry used to run. The ironwork came from James Abernethy & Co of Aberdeen, with the engineer Louis Harper thought to have had a hand in the towers.
It's had a hard life for such a delicate-looking thing. Rebuilt in 1988 after falling into disrepair, then badly mangled when Storm Frank tore through in December 2015 and the Dee burst its banks. It sat broken for years. After a big community fundraise and a donation from the then Prince Charles, it finally reopened in April 2021. Worth the visit.
Location
Cambus O'May sits on the A93 between Ballater and Dinnet, a few miles east of Ballater on a big bend of the Dee. The car park is easy to miss, it's small and tucked just across from the Cambus O'May Hotel, so slow down as you pass or you'll sail straight by. From there it's only a couple of minutes on foot down to the river and the bridge. There's a nice picnic bench by the water, good for a sandwich stop, and a few sandy spots along the bank that come into their own on a warm day.
What's nearby
You're spoiled for walks here. The Deeside Way, which follows the old railway line, runs right past the north-east end of the bridge, so you can pick it up and head off towards Ballater or Dinnet. Cross the bridge and there's a network of paths through the woods and along the south bank of the Dee. The Muir of Dinnet reserve, with Loch Kinord, its Pictish cross and the Burn O'Vat pothole, is a short drive east. Ballater itself is a few miles west, handy for the shops, cafés and the old royal station. Glen Tanar is over to the south.
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