DEE, river, south Aberdeenshire, Scotland, flowing generally eastwards from its source in the west of the county till it reaches the North Sea at the city of Aberdeen. It rises in the Wells of Dee, a spring on Ben Braeriach, one of the Cairngorms, at a height of 4,061 ft. With its tributaries the river drains an area of i,000 sq.m. Rapid and turbulent during the first half of its course of 90 m., it broadens below Aboyne and the rate of flow is diminished. The channel towards its mouth was artificially altered in order to provide increased dock accommodation at Aberdeen, but, above, the stream is navigable only for barges and small craft for a few miles. It runs through beautiful scenery especially in Braemar. About two miles above Inverey it enters a narrow rocky gorge, 30o yd. long and only a few feet wide at one part, and forms the rapids and cascades of the famous Linn of Dee. One of the finest of Scottish salmon streams, it retains its purity almost throughout. The principal places on the Dee are Castleton of Braemar, Balla ter, Aboyne, Kincardine O'Neil, Banchory, Culter and Cults.