Abbey Bridge to Aden Park

The Line is already starting to look autumnal with reddening rowan berries and willowherb turning to seed

Grey Granite and Rufus joined the line at Abbey Bridge, where from 1932 to 1947 there was a short wooden platform for the use of pilgrims to Deer Abbey. This, according to an old photograph, resembled the wooden fishing platforms seen in Norway, and suggests that the pilgrims were not numerous. The OS map indicates an Abbey Kiln, currently not visible from the Line. the ruins of Deer Abbey, a small (15 monks at most) Cistercian foundation may be glimpsed through the trees.

A sapling, probably a pin oak, planted to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Buchan Countryside Group, Deer Abbey is just visible in the background.

The Ugie flows between the Line and the Abbey ruins, this section has many trees including rowans, alders, ash, aspens, willows, oaks and pines. The estates of Pitfour and Saplinbrae House can be seen through the trees on the opposite bank of the Ugie. The occasional heron stalks the river bank. Above the sound of the river are frequent harsh screeches from peacocks on one of the estates.The sides of the track are covered in wildflowers including the ubiquitous willow herb, just turning to seed, violets, vetches, greater bird's foot trefoil and a patch of monkey flower. As the track approaches the village of Old Deer there is a signed footpath directing one to the village along the bank of  a burn . A network of paths is being developed in this area. 

Bridge 707 carries the road to Old Deer and Stuartfield over the line.

(Looking towards Deer abbey)

A footpath behind the beech trees on the left leads to the Old Deer road, lined with an avenue of magnificent beech trees, and to Aden Park

Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) a member of the willow herb family and less evil than its name suggests, grows in the shade of the bridge.

The stable yard at Aden Country Park

The Line continues beyond the bridge to an entrance to Aden Park. At this point the Line in interrupted by the main  road  (A950) which has to be crossed before continuing to Mintlaw Station.