Brig o’ Balgownie

Today’s walk took me through Seaton Park and along the River Don to the ancient Brig o’ Balgownie - the 13C bridge spanning the Don.

Work was started on the bridge in 1285 but ground to a halt during the War of Succession and Independence. It’s thought that it was finally completed in around 1320 perhaps due to the direct intervention of King Robert the Bruce.

Throughout its history the bridge has been considered an important asset. For five centuries possession of the bridge was the only way to move large armies quickly along the eastern coast of Aberdeenshire. It also provided a trade route to the wealthy areas of the north-east of Scotland. Nowadays it’s a quiet but very beautiful part of Aberdeen - a common place to see seals, otters and a variety of birds and ducks.