The Formartine and Buchan Way:

This walkway is an integral part of Central Buchan, it links the villages and is popular with walkers and cyclists of all ages. Formartine is the geographical district south of the Ythan river, Buchan is the area north of the Ythan.

The walkway is the site of the old railway and has two interlinking lines, one from Maud to Peterhead which opened in 1862, and one from Fraserburgh to Dyce which opened in 1865. Its use as a railway ceased when the railway systems were nationalised and British Rail created. The last passenger train ran from Maud to Peterhead in 1965, and from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen in 1979. The railway had been abandoned from its last run until its purchase by Grampian Regional Council in 1981. Then in 1987 the Buchan section (north of Ellon) was leased by the Buchan Countryside Group who went about resurfacing the now overgrown paths to create a pleasant walkway.

Railway bridge at Strichen now part of the Formartine & Buchan Way

Most of it has now been completed, although there are still some overgrown parts between Maud and Fraserburgh. It is a popular walk for tourists and visitors alike, providing a quiet look at the local scenery. The Buchan Countryside Group continues to work on the maintenance of the walkway and hope that soon the whole line will be easily accessible. until you reach the car park on your left hand side.

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