Date/Time
Date(s) - 13/01/201312:00 am
Walk Details
Pub Stop?: No O/S Map Sheet No.: 44 Grid Ref. Start: Grid Ref. Finish Walk (Miles): 10 Walk Hours: 5 Bus Time to Walk: Bus Time from Walk: Departure time from walk:Walk Notes
Today’s walk is in two parts – first – a part-circular walk of approximately four miles from Bridge of Muick, through Dalhefour Wood to the disused railway station in Ballater square, followed, secondly, by a fairly level walk of six miles along the track bed of the Old Deeside Railway line from Ballater to our pick up point at Dinnet.
Using this starting point at Bridge of Muick, avoids the one mile walk along the tarmac B976 South Deeside Road. This whole walk is a through-route, so if any member(s) require(s) a shorter walk, please advise your committee member in charge of the bus so that early discussions can take place with the driver.
The walk commences at Bridge of Muick (NGR 366 947) at the memorial marking the place where Queen Victoria bade farewell to the Gordon Highlanders leaving for the Boer War in 1899. Cross the bridge over the River Muick and walk along the South Deeside Road for about 700m and take a gravel path on your right (NGR 360 949). Follow this route (basically NW’wards) through Dalhefour Wood to reach Polhollick. Cross the white suspension bridge (note the weight restrictions on the bridge) and follow the track to the main A93 (North Deeside road). Cross this road and look for steps up the opposite bank to a path running NE’wards between the fields and the road. This path drops down near Bridge of Gairn and crosses the A93 to pick up a path below the road on the old disused railway line known as the “Auld Line” and was originally built for a planned extension of the Deeside Line from Ballater to Braemar. This extension was never completed after Balmoral Castle estate (and Queen Victoria) stated that it would encroach on the privacy of the royalty. This track bed follows the river through trees on a high bank, crossing a footbridge at a point known as the “postie’s leap” and eventually enters Ballater to terminate at the old railway station. From the station, follow the track bed of the old Deeside Line NE’wards, then E’wards passing Eastfield of Monaltrie & Newton of Tullich before our route swings SE’wards to arrive at Cambus o’ May. Continue on the track bed as our route swings NE’wards again whilst crossing the Muir of Dinnet to eventually arrive at Dinnet Village where our bus will be waiting (NGR 459 987).