Deeside Way
{{Short description|Walking and cycling route following a disused railway line in Aberdeenshire, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
| name = Deeside Way
| photo = File:Deesideline-10014-Lizzie.jpg
| photo_size = 200px
| caption =
| established =
| location = Aberdeenshire, Scotland
| length = {{convert|41|mi}}
| designation =
| trailheads = {{Plainlist|
- Duthie Park
{{coord|57|7|49|N|2|6|14|W}} - Ballater railway station
{{coord|57|3|3|N|3|2|25|W}}}}
| use = Walking, cycling and horse riding
| highest = {{convert|676|ft}}
| lowest =
| difficulty =
| season = All Year
| sights =
| hazards =
| waymark = Yes
| website = http://www.deesideway.org/
}}
The Deeside Way is a {{convert|41|mi|adj=on}} rail trail that follows, in part, the bed of the former Deeside Railway in Aberdeenshire. Forming part of the National Cycle Network (National Route 195) the trail leads from Aberdeen to Ballater.
The route
File:Deeside Way footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1517166.jpg on the footpath|upright]]
File:Glass Parapet on Road Bridge, Aberdeen, Scotland (geograph 6174852).jpg]]
The pathway runs from Duthie Park, Aberdeen to Peterculter, with two breaks across quiet country roads and a larger one at the busy Milltimber Brae. It then leaves the route of the old line, following a country road for around a mile along Coalford Croft to Old Manse Wood, whence there is a narrow path into Drumoak.{{cite web|url=http://www.deesideway.org/walks/aberdeen-to-drumoak/|title=Aberdeen to Drumoak|work=www.deesideway.org}} The route follows a pavement beside the A93 North Deeside Road for a few hundred yards to a signposted path that rejoins the former railway line to Crathes, where it is necessary to use another short stretch of pavement beside the A93 and the A957 to a minor road onto the path once more. This leads past Milton of Crathes, and alongside the Deeside Railway to arrive in Bellfield Park in Banchory.{{cite web|url=http://www.deesideway.org/walks/dalmaik-to-banchory/|title=Drumoak to Banchory|work=www.deesideway.org}}
The route from Banchory continues on the South side of the river through Blackhall Woods to Potarch. From Potarch the path returns to the North side of the river, and runs over a bridge before heading alongside the River Dee, and through the main street of Kincardine O'Neil.{{cite news|newspaper=Deeside Piper|date=30 October 2008|url=http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/BanchoryAboyne-path-plan-unveiled.4646921.jp|archive-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101080325/http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/local-headlines/banchory-aboyne-path-plan-unveiled-1-310146|title=Banchory-Aboyne path plan unveiled}} The route then passes through the Dess woods and past the Dess waterfall, before rejoining the old railway line near the former Dess station.
History
Interest in using the route for recreational purposes for pedestrians and cyclists began in 1971 with the publication of the Parham Report; in 1992 Kincardine and Deeside District Council undertook a feasibility study into creating the Deeside Way. Some parts of the line were acquired for public ownership and the route has been developed in sections over the years.{{cite web|url=http://www.deesideway.org/about/|title=Deeside Way|accessdate=30 May 2020|work=www.deesideway.org}} The current route was conceived by Mark Hagger in 2000. After winning the support of Aberdeenshire Council and the Community Councils along the route, Mark worked for 10 years as a consultant to the Council, which managed the project. The route was based on negotiation and voluntary agreement with landowners, and broadly follows the river Dee and the old railway line. It was developed in stages, as funding and agreement became available.
The Deeside Way is now almost complete between Duthie Park in Aberdeen and the Station Square in Ballater. There is currently a {{convert|1|mi}} gap in the route east of Aboyne from Kirkton to the Victory Hall, although there is an agreement for users to pass through on the unimproved route of the old railway. There are plans to extend the path from Ballater to Braemar.{{cite web|url=https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Deeside+Way|title=Deeside Way|work=LDWA}}
A bridge across Holburn Street in Aberdeen was built in 2005, and in March 2010 another bridge was opened over West Cults Road.Aberdeen City Council (2010). [http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_westCultsbridge_100310.asp "New footbridge leading to historic Deeside Way opened"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314031814/http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_westCultsbridge_100310.asp |date=14 March 2012 }}
Laying of tarmac along sections of the path within built-up areas of Aberdeen has taken place to improve from the current path which floods leading to thick mud patches during the autumn and winter months.{{cn|date=May 2020}}. The aggregate path in Aberdeenshire has been extensively resurfaced in 2015 and 2021.
Places of interest
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.deesideway.org Deeside Way Website]
- [http://www.durris.net/html/deeside_way_-_route.html Route from Peterculter to Banchory]
- [http://www.cyclegrampian.co.uk/trail/deeside.html Cycle Grampian]
- [http://www.aberdeencycleforum.org.uk Aberdeen Cycle Forum]
- [http://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/ Deeside Railway]
- [http://www.trailmaps.biz/thedeesideway.asp Biking and Hiking Map of the Deeside Way]
{{coord|57.10472|N|2.22357|W|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:10000|display=title|format=dms}}
Category:Geography of Aberdeen
Category:Transport in Aberdeen
Category:Footpaths in Aberdeenshire