Formartine and Buchan Way

The Formartine and Buchan Way has been justifiably designated as one of Scotland’s Great Trails. It is an impressive, safe pathway suitable for all abilities of walkers, cyclist and horse-riders.

Some paths may be closed for safety reasons or works. Please check for path closures.

The pathway uses the former railway line linking from Dyce, on the edge of Aberdeen in the south, to the village of Maud where it splits into two routes; eastwards to Peterhead and northwards to Fraserburgh.

The route is an impressive 53 miles in length, is entirely off road and relatively flat, however it passes through such a varied and interesting landscape that the outlook is constantly changing and the journey never boring.

View the Formartine and Buchan Way information pack (PDF 1.5MB), which provides lots of detail to help you make the most of this great trail, including some history of the former railway line and information about the towns and villages along the route. Please note that information given on route cards about local services may not be current. We would recommend you check availability ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

A set of eleven route cards accompany the information booklet and these provide more detailed information about short, easy to manage sections of the route:

• Dyce to Newmachar - 4 miles (PDF 871KB)
• Newmachar to Udny Station - 5 miles (PDF 819KB)
• Udny Station to Ellon - 5 miles (PDF 769KB)
• Ellon to Auchnagatt - 7 miles (PDF 770KB)
• Auchnagatt to Maud - 4.5 miles (PDF 724KB)
• Maud to Strichen - 5.5 miles (PDF 749KB)
• Strichen to Fraserburgh - 10.5 miles (PDF 682KB)
• Maud to Old Deer - 3 miles (PDF 698KB)
• Old Deer to Mintlaw - 2.5 miles (PDF 720KB)
• Mintlaw to Longside - 2.5 miles (PDF 728KB)
• Longside to Peterhead - 6 miles(PDF 703KB)

The Formartine and Buchan Way artwork trail

Discover the Formartine and Buchan Way artwork trail and explore the North East's heritage along the way. Following the route of the historic railway line from Dyce to Peterhead and Fraserburgh, the 53-mile trail connects past and present through art, language, and landscape.

Along the route, eleven corten steel signs mark the journey and the weathered metal represents the history of the old railway line. Each sign features a single line from "Fit Wye", a specially commissioned Doric poem by award-winning local writer Shane Strachan. The poem can be read in any direction encouraging exploration along the route.

Each panel includes a section designed for rubbings, allowing visitors to take home a piece of their journey. Bring a sheet of paper and a crayon or pencil to collect each line of the poem as you travel the route, a creative way to engage with the art, the language, and the landscape.

The trail encourages people to explore the Formartine and Buchan Way through active travel by walking, cycling, or wheeling while connecting with the region's artistic and cultural heritage. It was funded by Transport Scotland via the Nestrans People and Places grant. 

Electric bikes hire

The council runs an e-bike hire scheme at various locations on the route.