Ferryhill and the Bridge of Dee

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
6 kms	02:00 (hrs:mins)	0 metres	Explorer 406: Aberdeen & Banchory

Description

Leading south from Union Street, Crown Street was laid out in the early nineteenth century for the Hammermen of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen. Beyond the flamboyant turrets of the castellated General Post Office (on your right at the first bend in the road - now converted to flats) an elegant curved terrace, the result of rigid town planning, leads enticingly towards Ferryhill. Follow the road down the hill for about 1/2 km, then turn right at the traffic lights onto Springbank Terrace. There are charming houses here in the style of Archibald Simpson, the Aberdonian architect who was responsible for so many of his native city's most beautiful buildings. Take the next left down Bon Accord Street. The handsome residential buildings of Bon Accord Street are overlooked by one of the area's original eighteenth-century mansions, Ferryhill House, now a hotel. Take the fourth road to the left - Caledonian Place - which leads to Ferryhill Road on your right, with Archibald Simpson's elegant Georgian Marine Terrace high above on the crest of the hill. From here, the low buildings look out towards the River Dee where the Upper Ferry plied giving its name to the area.

Follow Ferryhill Road up the hill, and beyond tree-lined Ferryhill Place, on your left, continue onto Polmuir Road, which leads down to the East Lodge and entrance to Duthie Park. Named after Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie, who donated the land to the city, the Park was opened in 1883 by Princess Beatrice.

Continue through the park south to the river, and exit at the southwest, onto Riverside Drive. Take care crossing the road at the roundabout, and continue on the riverbank path westwards. The path leads past Allenvale Cemetery where the legendary Scott Skinner - the 'Strathspey King' - is buried. A few hundred yards along, in the shadow of the trees, the path passes over the old Ruthrieston Pack Horse Bridge, built in 1693 to carry the old south highway over the Pot Burn. Originally the bridge had no parapets so that wide cartloads could pass easily. The parapets were added in 1923 when the bridge was moved the short distance to its present site. Ahead, an even older bridge spans the River Dee itself. This is the Bridge of Dee, opened in 1527; site of a famous battle in 1639 between the Royalist led by Viscount Aboyne and the Covenanters under the Marquis of Montrose. Widened in the nineteenth century, the bridge still features the sixteenth century piers, coats of arms and passing places.

Return to Union Street by same route.