road to Balmoral

[Hempstead]

l need some help in locating a plaque with reference TO ROBERTSON & STEELE, the engineers who constructed the road to Balmoral.

Does anyone know where it is (if it has survived)?

[rosie17]

Have you tried to google it Balmoral Deeside or Aberdeen Archives if it's Balmoral Scotland ?

[Flattybasher9]

This is a strange one. If it's Balmoral Castle in upper Deeside you are referring to, the current bridge was designed by Brunel, and built by A Brotherhood, Chippenham. If it's the original bridge, then it was built by John Justice jnr and Co from Dundee. It was then renewed by Blaikie Bros, Aberdeen. Although both of the bridges are mentioned in Canmore, there is little about either of the roads. I wil dig a little further. There is a Balmoral road in the South West of the centre of Aberdeen. So far I can find nothing on "Robertson and Steele".

Regards

Malky

[Hempstead]

All I have been told is that it was the road to Balmoral and presumed that meant the Castle.

I have also looked for a mention of ROBERTSON & STEELE but haven't found anything

This is a family story which I am trying to prove.

[Isabel H]

In May 1849 the Aberdeen Journal carried an advert inviting contractors to submit estimates for constructing new lines of approach roads to the castle, but I can't find anything about who got the contract.

[Hempstead]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've checked out this book without any success

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jeOMfpYMOtYC&dq=scottish+civil+engineers+robertson&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Does anyone have access to the full version of this book?

http://www.thomastelford.com/books/samplechapters/civil%20engineering%20heritage%20scotland%20highlands%20and%20islands.pdf

[Flattybasher9]

The original road went over the suspension bridge, then carried up through the estate and past the old house/castle. It was decided to build the new approach road from the North side of the river Dee and cross just below Crathie Kirk. Dr Andrew Robertson, who was the then estate doctor, and also the factor, was put in charge of the installation of the new bridge (see previous post)

I cannot find anything against the surname "Steele" in relation to the bridge or road.

http://www.royal-deeside.org.uk/bahistory/victorian2.htm#victorian

http://www.rootschat.com/links/017vs/

http://www.royal-deeside.org.uk/bahistory/bridges.htm

http://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Doctor_Robertson_%281%29

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/31156/details/crathie+girder+bridge/

Mr James Robertson of Banff built a five-span masonry bridge in Ballater. It was completed in 1783 and washed away in 1799. (see link above)

Regards


Malky

[Isabel H]

The Balmoral castle website has contact details for the estate office. Maybe they would be able to help.

[Flattybasher9]

I have just went through the book, "The Old Deeside Road" by G. M. Fraser and can find no mention of Robertson & Steele, apart from those mentioned in previous posts by myself.

Regards

Malky.