Polhollick Bridge
The Polhollick Bridge spans the River Dee near Ballater, Aberdeenshire. It was built in 1892 by James Abernethy, a steel founder in Aberdeen. The bridge had been commissioned by Alexander Gordon as a gift to the area to replace a ferry crossing. Gordon had grown up in the area and witnessed a drowning incident at the ferry. It is a suspension bridge for pedestrians only. The bridge is similar to the nearby Cambus O' May bridge also paid for by Gordon. The bridge suffered severe damage during Storm Frank in December 2015 and reopened after repairs in December  2018. Description. Polhollick bridge is a footbridge crossing the River Dee around west of Ballater, Aberdeenshire. The bridge was paid for by Alexander Gordon, a wealthy brewer who had grown up in the area, and replaced an earlier ferry crossing. Gordon had witnessed a drowning incident involving a newly-married couple on the ferry crossing. The bridge was built in 1892 by James Abernethy and Co. steel founders in Ferry Hill, Aberdeen. It is a suspension bridge with lattice towers, sat on lozenge-shaped abutments, which carry two wire rope cables with ladder-like cross-bar stays. The deck, strengthened  by lattice girder trusses, is suspended from the cable by rods. The bridge spans . The ferry, which pre-dates the late 18th century, was discontinued after the bridge was built. The ferry pier survives at the site, as does the former ferryman's house which is now a private dwelling. The bridge is similar to the Cambus O' May bridge, another donated by Gordon that is sited nearby, but is in a more open environment. The Polhollick bridge is of sturdier construction than its neighbour and G. Nelson, writing in "Highland Bridges" in 1990, regards it as having "less charm