The Formartine and Buchan Way, a long distance footpath
following the route of a disused railway, links the fishing ports of
Fraserburgh and Peterhead with Aberdeen. It traverses the heartlands of rural
Aberdeenshire, a land of prehistoric monuments, medieval castles, ruined
churches and abbeys, scenes of ferocious religious conflicts, Jacobite
strongholds, abandoned mills, the planned villages and elegant mansions of the
improving lairds and the only hill carvings in Scotland. A valuable wild life
corridor, the Formartine and Buchan Way is now a rich habitat for wild flowers,
birds and mammals, many of which are endangered by modern farming methods used
elsewhere.
Landmarks and curiosities along the route of the Formatine &
Buchan Railway, now a popular long distance footpath and invaluable wildlife
corridor, include the first lighthouse to be built on the Scottish mainland, a
forgotten university, an airship
station, World War 2 airfields- both real and decoy, the hidden hideouts of
Churchill’s secret British Resistance,
poor-houses and great estates.
Walking the Line: A Curious Walker’s Guide to the Formartine
and Buchan Way, describes the wildlife landmarks seen along route of the
Formartine Buchan Railway. The book will be of interest to those who recall the
days before closure of the line as well as to those who enjoy the recreational
facilities it now offers.
Grey Granite's book based on this blog will be published by GNSRA in early July 2015, price £9.90.
For more information and details of availability watch this space!
To register interest in purchasing a copy leave your details including email address as a comment to this post.
