Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Dated 1693; moved 35 yards E in 1923. 3-span, hump-back, round-arched bridge over tributary to River Dee. Coursed lightly tooled granite, with granite arch-rings; cobbled road. Splayed wing walls. Parapet stepped-up to centre, added 1923. Cutwaters surmounted by 2 tooled coats of arms to E; panel reading "ERECTED IN 1693 35 YARDS WEST OF THIS SITE - RE-ERECTED HERE IN 1923" to W; panel with Latin inscription to inside E parapet.

Statement of Special Interest

Ruthrieston Pack Bridge, which is the only surviving example of a pack horse bridge in this area of Scotland, was described by Fraser as an "exceedingly well built bridge, of dressed granite" (THE BRIDGE OF DEE, p15). It would appear that the bridge was first mentioned in the Town Council Minutes in 1541 as the "blind bryg", however what became of this bridge is not known. The present bridge was built with stones from the quarry in Hill of Pitfoddels over 150 years later. Despite being moved in 1923, Ruthrieston Pack Bridge survives in good condition. The parapet is a later addition, the original parapets being long gone even in 1910. The main loss is the weathering of the two coats of arms. That to the left is of Aberdeen City, with 3 towers supported by 2 leopards, and the motto "Bon Accord"; while that to the right belongs to Robert Cruickshank of Banchory (Devenick), who was provost at the time the bridge was built, and added his coat of arms without the Council's permission. In 1698 when he ceased to be provost the Council demanded the stone be removed and that Cruickshank should pay for a new stone, on which would be a Latin inscription. When Cruickshank refused to pay his stone was turned round and the inscription carved on the reverse. It was not until the bridge was repaired in 1877 that the stone was turned back to display the coat of arms. In 1796, the road layout changed and traffic was diverted from the bridge.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.