[4] Local philanthropist James Fleming - banker, county councillor, Provost, and founder of Aberlour distillery - saw a need for a safer pedestrian footbridge across the often dangerous fast-flowing waters.

In June 1895, just before his death, Fleming made a bequest in his Will: "I leave a sum of five hundred pounds for the purpose of erecting a steel wire footbridge over the river Spey at Aberlour, at a place as near as possible to the mouth of the burn of Ruthrie [Lour Burn] so as to connect the village of Charlestown with the parish of Knockando, if the Proprietor of Elchies will consent thereto and if they obtain his consent I direct my Trustees to expend the said sum accordingly, but in the event of the Proprietor declining or not giving his consent within three years after my death then the said sum to fall into and form part of the residue of my means and estate.

A stinging criticism published in 1899 showed the depth of feeling amongst many local people: "The Laird of Elchies is making a bold bid to become the most unpopular proprietor on Speyside.

That fatal accident in itself ought to have been sufficient to remove any objection which might linger in the mind of the Laird of Elchies, but human life does not appear to count for much with that young man.

"[6] Eventually permission was granted, and on Christmas Eve 1901 the Banffshire Journal & General Advertiser reported: We believe that Aberlour people are to have the bridge across the Spey at last.