The old railway closed in 1979, and the walkway opened in the 1990s. It’s a fascinating place to walk, a liminal experience that extends from Dyce to Peterhead and Fraserburgh and through the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire. There are lots of places to visit along the 53-mile-long way, such as Aden Park and Strichen Stone Circle.
We’re exploring two locations on the ghost line today: Fraserburgh and Maud.
Fraserburgh
The skies are big at Fraserburgh, and you can see sand dunes on the horizon. We’re in the countryside but also near the sea. We’re in a quiet and rural place, yet standing in a space that trains once thundered through. And the way is straight. Uncomplicated and direct.
Past the golf club we march and on to the old station at Philorth, now a house.
Close your eyes and smell the honeysuckle that grows here. Breathe deep and be transported to another place, and another flower…
Maud
A rose grows by an iron structure beside the railway line in Maud. There’s a truly excellent museum here too.
You can enjoy a train simulator, ride on a miniature train and explore a prison carriage. The carriage was used to transport people to and from a local quarry for hard labour between 1888 and 1958.
There’s no such hardship for us today as we run along the line through the natural tunnel that has formed over time. Fruit trees are to be found along the way, sprung from apple cores thrown from train windows.
And, like us, time and nature march on…
There’s more information about the old railway line on the Aberdeenshire Council website here, and the Railway Museum’s Facebook page has details of its latest opening times.
Wishing you roses and honeysuckle (and no hard labour),
Ailish xx
The Mermaid and the Bear
If you like castles, Scotland, history, witches, stone circles and Christmas done medieval-style, you might like THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. There’s also a love story.
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Other bookshops (and libraries) can get it too.
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
I also feature in the article Should we really have fun at Halloween when the north-east led the great execution of witches?
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I didn’t even know the Railway Museum existed - it must be one of Aberdeenshire’s best kept secrets! I’ll have to investigate next time I’m in the area 🤔