GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Formartine and Buchan Way

53 miles (86 km)

A super off road cycling and walking trail through Aberdeenshire following a dismantled railway line. The route runs from Dyce to Fraserburgh with an optional section to Peterhead. Highlights on the route include Aden Country Park where you will find the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, forest walks and a ruined country house. The path also passes the peaceful Pitfour Lake, the 13th century ruined abbey at Deer Abbey (see video), the Strichen White Horse and the ancient Strichen Stone Circle.
The route is waymarked with the letters F & BW on a red railway logo.
The start point at Dyce is located a few miles north west of the city of Aberdeen.

Formartine and Buchan Way OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Formartine and Buchan Way Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Towards the Fraserburgh end of the route you could take a detour east to visit the lovely Loch of Strathbeg. The area includes an RSPB visitor centre, wildlife reserve and several species of water loving birds to look out for on the loch.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Formartine and Buchan Way - geograph.org.uk - 509884

Formartine and Buchan Way. Between Deer Abbey and Maud

Formartine and Buchan Way - geograph.org.uk - 1011314

Information board on the route

Formartine and Buchan Way, Whiteside - geograph.org.uk - 220954

Formartine & Buchan Way, Whiteside. The old railway bridge still carries the farm road to Whiteside (left, off photo). The banks of the old railway line are covered in rosebay willow herb (fireweed).

Bridge on the Formartine and Buchan Way - geograph.org.uk - 829006

Bridge on the trail. Old railways in northern Aberdeenshire have been developed as walkways and linear nature reserves under the title "Formartine and Buchan Way". This section (from Maud to Fraserburgh) is 25 Km long. It is also publicised as a cycleway, although the surface on this section is poor. Carnichat Farm in the middle distance.

Buchan and Formartine Way east of Strichen - geograph.org.uk - 833638

East of Strichen

Ruins of Deer Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 833633

Ruins of Deer Abbey. Seen from the trail and looking across the South Ugie Water.

Mormond Station - geograph.org.uk - 833682

Mormond Station

Formartine and Buchan Way, East of Maud. - geograph.org.uk - 164056

East of Maud. The old trackbed is embanked here as it crosses the South Ugie Water (right in photograph).

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Formartine and Buchan Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Formartine and Buchan Way.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)