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OLD RAILWAYS ON HORSEBACK
Deeside Way Rail Trail
This Rail Trail runs between Aberdeen and Banchory for just over 17 miles. For
horse riders it may be preferable to park at Duthie Park for loading/unloading,
but not long term parking. There is Banchory Lodge Hotel and Caravan site at
Banchory and a possibility to load/unload from there if just riding the Way itself.
At Ruthrieston there seems to be a suspension bridge over the A 92 with a sign
forbidding horses to cross, but researching there is a diversionary route to
negotiate and solve the problem. Further along the track there is a mile long
single track heritage railway. Check the timetable for running times (see below).
There is also a diversion off the original track near Drumoak along country lanes
and a very short section on the A 93 before returning to the Way.
The railway travelled between Aberdeen and Ballater as part of the Great North
of Scotland railway. While in operation, the railway was used by the Royal
Family during travel to their Scottish retreat at Balmoral and it's local name was
the Royal Deeside Line. It is now part of Sustrans 195. There is a break in the
route to Ballater from Banchory (Aboyne to Ballater) which requires further
research
Grid ref: NJ 938 046 Duthie Park. (Parking mentioned above)
Grid ref: NO 700 954 Banchory Lodge. (Parking mentioned above)
Deeside Way at Drumoak © Copyright
Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under
this Creative Commons Licence.
Deeside Way and Royal Deeside Railway ©
Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse
under this Creative Commons Licence.
Deeside Way at Birkenbaud (Sunday
afternoon trains ) © Copyright Nigel Corby
and licensed for reuse under this Creative
Commons Licence.
Deeside Way bridge over Holburn
Street © Copyright Alan Findlay
and licensed for reuse under this
Creative Commons Licence.
Deeside Way Rail Trail,
Aboyne and Braemar Railway
This was an extension of the line from Aberdeen for passenger and goods to
Ballater. The railway to Aboyne opened in 1859. It was the terminus until the line
to Ballater was opened by The Aboyne and Braemar Railway in 1866. The original
aim to reach Braemar never came to fruition.
This section between Aboyne and Ballater is just under 11 miles long and you'll be
riding through history! The route leaves the Car park at Victory Hall in Aboyne
passing the Deeside Gliding Club airfield, arriving in Ballater at the Old Royal
Station, which is now a museum and Tourist Information Centre. There is a break
in the Way between Banchory and Aboyne, we have not found any route to join
the two parts.
There's a lot of interesting history about this line worth reading in the links below.
Grid Ref: NO 519 969 Aboyne Victory Hall - parking
Grid Ref: NO 371 960 Old Royal Station - parking
https://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/servicesdir/line2.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dess_railway_station
http://www.deesideway.org/walks/aboyne-to-ballater/
Deeside Way- Ballater tourist Info ©
Copyright Shaun Ferguson and licensed
for reuse under this Creative Commons
Licence.at the Station
Deeside Way at Cambus o’ May Station
© Copyright Richard Webb and
licensed for reuse under this Creative
Commons Licence.
Aberdeen to Banchory
