Cambus O' May, Suspension Bridge, Victorian suspension footbridge in Royal Deeside, Scotland.
Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge is a cast iron footbridge spanning the River Dee with a distinctive lattice-truss design and steel-wire-rope cables. The structure is supported by slim lattice-girder pylons that give the crossing a delicate appearance as it arches over the water below.
Construction began in 1905 following a personal tragedy that prompted the builder to create a safer crossing than the ferry service that existed before. The structure has since become an enduring solution for river passage at this location.
The name Cambus O' May comes from Scottish Gaelic meaning 'river bend' and reflects the natural curve of the Dee at this spot. Today locals and visitors use it as a key link connecting walking routes through the surrounding woodlands and moorlands.
Access is from a designated parking area off the A93 a few miles east of Ballater, connecting to walking paths through nearby woodlands. The metal grilles of the bridge can become slippery in wet weather, so visitors should wear suitable footwear.
The bridge features two different access control systems: a swing gate at one entrance and a turnstile with a tall pole at the other. This side-by-side comparison of older and newer entry methods makes it an unexpected window into practical engineering solutions from the early 1900s.
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