Strichen Viaduct to Howford: A Spring walk.

Crossing the viaduct at Strichen, Grey Granite was attracted by the abundance of wild flowers, wood anemones and celandines in particular, growing on the banks of the Ugie below the viaduct and went down to explore. A clearly marked footpath, reached from close to the road bridge over the Ugie, leads along the bank of the Ugie emerging at Howford Farm from where, by turning left along the farm road, the Line may easily be rejoined east of Strichen Station. Grey Granite walked back along the Line to the viaduct in bright spring sunshine.

The piers of the bridge have been colonised by grasses, dandelions and a small elder sapling. The tranquil area alongside the river is secluded and sheltered from the road above by a steep bank and trees - willow, ash, elm and beech. It can be quite wet and boggy but makes a delightful walk particularly in spring when there are often mallards on the river.

  Dense clumps of wood anemones and celandines line the banks of the Ugie

Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) a delicate white flower with a blush of pink on the underside of the petals,  also known as Wind Flower.

Howford Farm (The French Farm) seen from the Line. The track along the Ugie emerges close to the humped backed Howford Bridge (1777)  which carried the old coach road over the river just below the farm.

A replica of the original station sign has appeared on the platform at the east end of Strichen station.

The viaduct looking back towards Strichen Station. The beech, willows, sycamore and  birch trees along the Line are developing a feint haze of new green leaves, whilst ash flowers, 'delicate as flowers of grass' are also starting to open.



On a sunny embankment close to Strichen Station these, the first violets of the year, were emerging from the dry undergrowth.

Mormond Hill from the kirkyard which is to the south  of the Line just beyond the viaduct.

'Strichen which is without exception, the most attractive and picturesque spot on the whole line. Lying in a snug little valley, with the towering crest of Mormond on the one side, the limpid waters of the Ugie on the other, and embowered among trees - Strichen is, without doubt, one of the prettiest little villages in Buchan.'

From 'The Howes of Buchan' William Anderson 1865

Anderson's guide to places of interest along the route of the Buchan Railway  exaggerates the grandeur of Mormond Hill but during today's walk along  the short section of Line skirting the village Strichen lived up to his description.