Grand opening of Montgarrie to Alford active travel route on July 9
A newly upgraded active travel route between Montgarrie and Alford will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, July 9.
The newly enhanced path – funded entirely by Nestrans – has been designed with accessibility, sustainability and natural beauty in mind, weaving through the picturesque Haughton Country Park and offering a safe, welcoming space for walkers, cyclists, wheelers, joggers and runners of all ages and abilities.
Members of the community and media are warmly invited to attend the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 9 at 2pm near the pond where council representatives in association with Cycling UK Aberdeenshire Bothy will share more about the project and its benefits for the area.
The event will be a family-friendly walk with activities for children along the way with the aim of celebrating the path opening and promoting it to the community.
The project includes a number of significant improvements:
- A new 2m-wide path surfaced with granite dust for a smooth, durable finish
- A new footpath alongside the road at the park entrance
- A new pedestrian bridge crossing the burn, enhancing both safety and connectivity
- A pedestrian-priority road crossing
- New signage and wayfinding for ease of use
- A route passing alongside the dog park - eliminating gates and improving access
- Gentle gradients and alignment with existing natural paths and features
This active travel route was shaped with strong community involvement. In 2024, Aberdeenshire Council sought feedback from local residents, with 64% of respondents supporting the proposed route and 74% stating they would use it regularly for leisure or commuting purposes.
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee and vice-chair of Nestrans, said: “I would like to thank all those who participated in our engagement work which has helped our team develop the improvement work. Following that process, we have continued to work on our original proposal with the aim of designing a route which is accessible for all users but also in keeping with the natural environment.
"The project carefully balances convenience with conservation, making use of existing paths wherever possible while minimising environmental disruption. The result is a thoughtful and inviting space that encourages healthier, greener journeys and greater connection with the outdoors.”
