Howe o Buchan to Newseat

The remains of the level crossing at the slip road near Howe o Buchan, there is a gate for pedestrians on the right. Water for the engine tank at the railway station in Queen Street was piped from the Howe o Buchan Estate and given a suitable fall by being raised to the top of the brae at Blackhouse  by a hydraulic ram. 

The level crossing gates. Visiting this area a few days later Grey Granite noticed that extensive earthworks and flattening of trees have been carried out. It is to be hoped that this does not destroy the crossing gate posts.

This walk was characterised by the bright haws along the line and the disappointing graffiti under many of the bridges between Howe o' Buchan and Inverugie. Boulders along the track side here are pink Peterhead granite.

Inverugie station is now rather disappointing, the station building, which was rather grander than most, is hidden from the line by the wall. In view of the level of graffiti and litter on the line the building of the wall is entirely understandable.



The back of Inverugie Station.
 'The Howes o Buchan' records that in the1860's  there was 'much excursion traffic to the station, attracted by the beautiful walks and interesting ruins in the vicinity'. These include Inverugie Castle associated with the Keiths, Earls Marischal and a prophecy of Thomas the Rhymer. Grey Granite has been told that until the mid 20th century a popular Spring outing from Peterhead was to take the train from Peterhead Station to Inverugie to visit the Pinkie Braes there. Just beyond the station the Line is crossed by a minor road to Longside. At this crossing  the remains of the bridge which would have taken the line over the road can be seen. Inverugie Station closed to goods traffic in November 1960 and to passengers in May1965.



The bridge carrying the road to Berryhill farm has wooden railings
 
The line is pleasantly bounded along this section by deciduous woods containing specimens of large well established trees including ash,beech and horse chestnut. The line is again crossed by several fuel pipe lines from St Fergus Gas Terminal

The bridge at Ellishill, here there are steep steps leading from the line to the road.The embankment close to Ellishill is 18.5 feet high hence the polite notice asking that, for safety reasons, the gate at the top of the steps be closed.

Looking towards Newseat from the Ellishill Bridge across one of the longest
'straights' on the Peterhead- Maud section of the line.

Longside Airfield, still used by light aircraft which were landing and taking off as we walked by.  During WW2 Newseat Halt was used by RAF personnel from the base.

Peterhead Airfield was built for the RAF in 1941, between Longside and Peterhead, and disbanded in 1945. At its busiest, there was in excess of 2,000 personnel stationed there, typically 1,576 RAF and 289 WAF, with up to five accommodation camps in use, serving a large number of RAF squadrons, and up to four Fleet Air Arm (FAA) squadrons. Amongst the nations represented were Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders. Poles, Czechoslovaks, Belgians, and Americans. Squadrons of particular note would include the RAF 13th Group (Night Fighters) the Royal Canadian Air force (416 Squadron) and the Polish Air Force (309 Squadron). Records suggest the airfield was used as a fighter station operating Hurricane, Spitfire, and Mustang aircraft, and provided protection for eastern convoys.


May-July 1944, 416 Squadron formed at Peterhead on November 18, 1941. In the same month, one person was killed, and three others injured, when a Ju-88 bomber dropped two bombs on the airfield.  (Secret Scotland)

Approaching Newseat halt from Peterhead. The platform appears to have been faced with wood, rather than the more usual  stone.

After returning to the Howe o'Buchan level crossing Grey Granite decided to walk a short way towards Peterhead Station. This involved crossing a hideous development area which was  a sea of bare earth with patches of weed. In the midst of this we were delighted to see a large charm of goldfinches feeding on thistle and charlock seeds.