Firth of Tay to Moray - Sustrans

Deeside Way section 7
Miles
0
1 2
Aberdeen Station
0
Kilometres
1 2
3
A90
Mannofield
Aberdeen
A9013
A945
Dunthie
Park
Start/
Finish
A93
B9077
Cults
Kaimhill
Kincorth
Bieldside
Peterculter
St Peter's
Heritage Centre
(Museums Galleries
Scotland)
Milltimber
B979
A93
Newton
Dee
River Dee
The Blairs Museum
(Museums Galleries Scotland)
B9077
Banchory-Devenick
Category: Railway path
Distance: 6.5 miles/11 kilometres
Time: 1 hour
Gradient: Flat
Surface: First 2.5 miles tarmac then dust
To Banchory
& Ballater
Start/
Finish
The Deeside Way in Aberdeen
Storybook Glen
The Deeside Way will eventually run for 42 miles between
Aberdeen and Ballater in Royal Deeside. It mainly follows the
disused railway line (16 miles from Aberdeen to Banchory and 11
miles from Aboyne to Ballater) and is suitable for cyclists of all
abilities and is especially good for families. Between Banchory
and Aboyne, where the original railway took a long loop
northwards via Torphins, the cycle route will follow a more direct
mixture of minor roads and forest tracks – a little more difficult to
navigate, but still very family-friendly. This section is scheduled
to be completed in 2010/11.
The highlighted route follows the start of the Deeside Way from
the north gate of Aberdeen’s Duthie Park to Peterculter. Along
the way there is information about all the former railway stations
that existed until 1966 and fine views of the River Dee through
the trees.
The original plan in the 1840s was for the line to continue west
from Ballater to Braemar, but Queen Victoria insisted it terminate
well away from her Balmoral residence. As it travels up beautiful
Royal Deeside, the Way passes by many places of interest,
including Crathes and Drum castles, a recreated steam railway
at Crathes, Aboyne Gliding Club and the Cambus O’ May
suspension bridge. At Ballater, the former railway station is
recreated and also houses the tourist information centre.
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20