Brig o' Balgownie
(1320-present)
place and bridge
Aged 704
Wikidata WikipediaThe Brig o' Balgownie is a 13th-century bridge spanning the River Don in Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland. Construction of the bridge was begun in the late 13th century by Richard Cementarius, although its completion was not until 1320 at the time of the Scottish War of Independence. After falling into disrepair in the mid 16th century it was extensively renovated in 1605. Throughout its history the bridge has been considered an important asset. For five centuries possession of the bridge was the only way to move large armies quickly along the eastern coast of Aberdeenshire. It also provided a trade route to the wealthy areas of the north-east of Scotland. The bridge is constructed of granite and sandstone. Its single gothic arch has span of over 12 metres (39 ft) and at low tide the apex of the arch lies over 17 metres (56 ft) above the water-line. The bridge ceased to be a major route in 1830 when the new Bridge of Don was built 500 yards (460 m) downstream.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 1 plaque
Brig o' Balgownie. This bridge, one of the oldest in Britain, was completed about 1320 supposedly at the behest of King Robert the Bruce. It has a gothic shaped arch with a clear span of some 12 metres and is built of a mixture of sandstone and granite. In 1605 it was almost totally rebuilt by the Town Council and at the same time a fund was established for its maintenance in perpetuity by Sir Alexander Hay of Whytburgh and Newton.
Brig o' Balgownie, Aberdeen, United Kingdom where it sited (1320)