Deeside Way 3: Banchory to Aboyne

Summary

This is the longest stage of the Deeside Way, and also the most strenuous, as it leaves the flat railway line and climbs through the woods below Scolty Hill. The route then crosses the Dee at Potarch Bridge before continuing to the small village of Kincardine o' Neil. It then undulates through farmland and woodland before rejoining the line of the old railway to head past the Loch of Aboyne to reach Aboyne. The final few kilometres into Aboyne are not formally waymarked.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly easy walking on tracks and clear paths, with some ascent and descent. Some muddy patches on final stretch into Aboyne.

Getting there

Start

Banchory town centre.

Public Transport

Banchory, Potarch, Kincardine o' Neal and Aboyne are all linked by the bus route from Aberdeen.

Start Grid Ref

NO697954

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.8km / 14.75 miles
Time: 5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 430m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The stage begins by heading south along Dee Street in the centre of Banchory; there is parking in Bellfield Car park and bus stops on the High Street. Follow Dee Street down to and across the bridge over the River Dee. On the far side, as the road curves left, leave and it and ascend the steps directly ahead. These emerge on a minor road - turn right along this. When the road forks keep left, then take the next right - with a forestry sign for Scolty. Continue to the car park in the forest; if you wish, you can make a detour from here to climb to the tower on Scolty Hill, a local landmark.

Stage 2

Otherwise, continue straight ahead on the track through the car park, signed for the Deeside Way. After 400m the track forks - take the main right branch, as signed. After this, ignore several tracks off on the right, and later off on the left - always keeping ahead as signed. There are glimpses down through the trees and across the Dee in a few spots. After gaining some height, the route begins to descend, eventually meeting a larger track - go left here as signed. There is another gentler climb - ignore a final track off left - until the route finally emerges at the Shooting Geens car park.

Stage 3

Head up to the minor road, but just before reaching it turn right onto the cyclepath that runs parallel to it. Keep straight across at a track, continuing on the path that keeps parallel to the road, descending with grand open views. Keep ahead across another track. Further on the route crosses the road and then turns right to continue parallel to the far side. Eventually it emerges at a car park opposite Potarch Cottage. Turn left along the road here to the junction - the building ahead includes a cafe. Turn right at the t-junction to head to and across Potarch Bridge - a beautiful arched bridge over the Dee, built in 1814 to a design by Thomas Telford.

Stage 4

On the far side turn left, heading through a parking area beside the busy A93. Continue past the bus stop onto the footpath that continues on the near side. This soon slopes down, close by the river. Keep ahead across a track, and continue parallel to the main road. After a wooden chicane the path joins a track coming in from your right. Keep ahead until the track leaves the river and bears right up a steep slope. It then continues beside the road once more.

Stage 5

Keep ahead until the route joins the pavement at the start of the village of Kincardine o' Neil. This is one of the oldest villages in the area, and has many beautiful old stone houses. On the left side are the ruins of St Mary's Church, originally built in the 1200s. There's also a shop on the opposite side of the road. Continue to the far end of the village, then turn right (signed as a path for Lumphanan and Deeside Way) up Pitmurchie Road.

Stage 6

Continue up the road for 300m until a cyclepath - signed for the Deeside Way - forks off left. This passes a few houses, and eventually joins a track (coming in from your right). Keep ahead along this route until a sign indicates where to turn left, just under 1km after leaving the road. Keep straight across at another track; eventually the route climbs through woodland, and passes through a gap in an old stone wall.

Stage 7

The path almost reaches a track in the trees, but swings left. At a fork a signed path off right offers a detour to the very attractive Dess Falls - around 500m off route. Staying on the Deeside Way, the path eventually descends through the trees and then crosses a long footbridge. On the far side the path climbs in zig-zags and then turns left along the nearside of a minor road. Soon the route crosses the road and then turns right on the far side. After passing between fields, the route finally regains the line of the old Deeside Railway - now a track. Turn left along it.

Stage 8

After just over 1km the route meets a minor road. From here onwards to Aboyne the route is not waymarked as the Deeside Way - but there is no problem walking this 'missing link'. Keep straight ahead across the road, on a track through trees. The route is still following the line of the old railway through Rosehill Croft; there's a muddy area you may need to bypass on the right. After a gate keep ahead onto a track with the main road on your left. When the track joins the road keep ahead on a path - with the attractive Loch of Aboyne off on your right. Pass through an iron gate, head across the entrance of the caravan park, then through another iron gate a short distance beyond - right beside the second part of the loch. Keep ahead across a track near a house, and pass under a bridge. Beyond this the route meets the pavement of the main A93 - turn right along this and follow it into the centre of Aboyne and the end of the stage - there are shops, restaurants and accommodation available here.

Next stage: Aboyne to Ballater

Route Profile

Where to stay

Aberdeenshire hostels

Glamping and Camping

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