55

The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North.

58

The Denburn looking southward towards and beyond Union Bridge, with the old Bow Brig in the distance and the houses adjacent. The Bow Brig featured largely in the social life of the inhabitants of the area. Note the bleaching green on the right of the print. Illustration taken from a plate drawn by Sir John Carr, 1807

59

Latin inscription on stone, Ruthrieston Bridge. It reads "Senatus Abredonensis hunc pontem impensis ex aere ad pontem deae spectante extruendum curavit anno 1693" ("The Town Council of Aberdeen caused this bridge to be built with moneys from the Bridge of Dee Fund in the year 1693").

62

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to this site on Riverside Drive in 1923. This photograph shows the reconstruction of the bridge in 1923.

63

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to Riverside Drive in 1923.

64

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to this site on Riverside Drive in 1923. This photograph shows the reconstruction of the bridge in 1923.

65

The Old Bridge of Dee dating from the early 16th century was begun by Bishop William Elphinstone c.1493. Further building started in 1518 and was carried out by Alexander Galloway and Thomas Franche. In 1840, the bridge was widened by John Smith, the City Architect. Drawing by Curtis Green. Lithograph by Gibb & Hay.

67

The Wellington Suspension Bridge over the River Dee was built in 1829 by Samuel Brown and John Smith. It connects Ferryhill with the high bank of Craiglug to the south. Print dated 1850. The bridge, locally known as the 'Chain Bridge', was closed to traffic and pedestrians because of its poor condition before reopening after restoration in 2008.

68

The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Engraving by P. Hazell, sculptor. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North.

69

The Bridge of Dee from the south. The Old Bridge of Dee dating from the early 16th century was begun by Bishop William Elphinstone c.1493. Further building started in 1518 was carried out by Alexander Galloway and Thomas Franche. In 1840, the bridge was widened by John Smith, the City Architect.

77

Union Bridge, on Union Street was built around 1800 and straddled the Denburn. The large building is the Palace Hotel, built in 1874, which burnt to the ground on the 31st October 1941 and was subsequently demolished after the end of the Second World War.

81

Union Bridge, Aberdeen, from Bridge Street, looking east. The spires at the left belong to Kirk House, later a restaurant and bar, and to St. Nicholas Church. The corner of the Palace Hotel is just visible at the right.

89

Union Terrace Gardens looking towards the Union Bridge. The spires of Belmont Congregational Church are on the left. The gardens were laid out in 1891-3. The chimney belonged to Hadden's textile factory in the Green.

123

This photograph by George Washington Wilson, looking towards Union Bridge, shows the old red-tiled roofed houses in the Windmill Brae area in the 1850s. Most of these were swept away with the construction of the railway and the building of Bridge Street around 1865-1867. The house at the left, on the corner of Union Terrace, was owned by Harry Lumsden of Belhelvie and later by the Northern Club. Its site became part of that occupied by the Northern Assurance Company offices. The spire of the Triple Kirks and the tower of the South Parish Church are visible in the background.

156

The Wellington Suspension Bridge over the River Dee at Craiglug.

157

The Dee originally flowed northward from Wellington Bridge close by the railway arches eastwards to the sea. After years of discussion about the development of the harbour, the Aberdeen Harbour Act of 1868 allowed the Harbour Commissioners to divert the river to the south. The first turf was cut by Lord Provost Leslie on 22nd December 1869. This photograph shows the dam built to allow the excavation of the new channel. Most of the work was carried out by hand with men using picks and shovels. There was no official inauguration of the new channel but the river was following its new course by the beginning of 1873.

160

An engraving showing Grandholm Bridge over the River Don from a drawing by James Giles. The inscription in the bottom right indicates that the engraving was printed at the Deaf and Dumb Institution. This drawing likely looks west up the river and in the middle distance shows the Cruive Dikes, a complex of weirs and sluices across the River Don built for the purpose of fishing. Remains of these are located not far to the east of the modern Diamond Bridge. Some information on the ownership and operation of the cruives is given in the book The Annals of Aberdeen (Volume II, 1818) by William Kennedy, on pages 207-209. In the far distance is Grandholm Bridge. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that the bridge was built by the firm of Leys, Masson and Company in 1810 to improve access to its Granholm Works. It was a wooden bridge with a small lodge and was known locally as the "White Bridge". The 1810 bridge was replaced by the present steel structure, built by the Motherwell Bridge Company, in 1922.

167

Don Mouth, drawn by J. Giles, printed at the Deaf and Dumb Institution

168

An engraving showing the Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don from a drawing by James Giles. The inscription in the bottom right indicates that the engraving was printed at the Deaf and Dumb Institution. The title of this engraving describes the Brig o' Balgownie as the Bridge of Don. This is due to it serving as the main bridge over the river until the construction of the bridge known today as the Bridge of Don in 1827-30 by engineers John Smith and Thomas Telford. This image likely looks south east along the river, towards the bridge, from between Tam's Hole and Black Nook. This was an important salmon fishing area in the past. Some information on the catching of fish on the river is given in the book The Annals of Aberdeen (Volume II, 1818) by William Kennedy, on pages 206-211.

169

Near the Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don, Aberdeen. Caption reads: "Drawn by J. Giles, Aberdeen. Near the Bridge of Don. Printed at the Deaf & Dumb Institution"

179

Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don

180

Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Caption reads, "The old Bridge of Don, or Balgownie's Brig. North of Aberdeen, one and a half miles"

188

Union Bridge looking North over Union Terrace Gardens.

190

The Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.