A long concrete crossing uses a hinged main arch and six flood arches to span the Dee while revealing the engineering limits of interwar construction.
Quick facts
- Date
- Designed circa 1937; built 1938–40
- Architect / designer
- F A Macdonald and Partners, engineers; George Bennett Mitchell, architect
- Type
- Seven-span reinforced-concrete road bridge
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB47060)
- OS grid reference
- NO 52370 97935
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The 151-metre bridge crosses the river in seven segmental spans. A three-hinged portal frame forms the principal opening, accompanied by flood arches, concrete piers and precast parapets.
Its story
The concrete bridge replaced an 1832 suspension crossing that could not carry modern loads. Deterioration led to emergency closure; structural assessment and community consultation continue to shape repair or replacement options.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises a technically ambitious response to Dee flooding, combining rare hinged-concrete engineering with architectural treatment on a major regional crossing.
What to notice
- The broad central arch over the main channel.
- Smaller flood arches across the river terrace.
- Concrete hinges expressed within the structural form.
Reading the surroundings
Follow the latest council notices before visiting. Do not enter closed carriageways, works compounds, riverbanks or scaffolding, and stay outside barriers even if older maps show a through route.
Timeline
- 1832 A suspension bridge first established this direct crossing of the Dee.
- 1938–40 A reinforced-concrete replacement introduced seven spans and a hinged main arch.
- 2023 Structural concerns forced an emergency closure to motor traffic.
- 2026 Council consultation and engineering studies continued toward a long-term solution.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The eventual intervention, reopening date and permitted user access may change; only current council notices are authoritative.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Aboyne Bridge, LB47060 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB47060 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Aberdeenshire Council: B968 Aboyne Bridge updates — Current closure, community engagement and engineering-update context through August 2026.
- Aberdeenshire HER: Aboyne Bridge — Local authority engineering description, bridge history and mapped identity.
Location
OS grid reference NO 52370 97935 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; the public text separately states access and any current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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