THE ROYAL DEESIDE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
THE railway first came to Deeside in the early 1850s with the formation of the Deeside Railway, which took the line as far as Banchory. This was extended to Aboyne in 1859 and eventually reached Ballater in 1866. Following the report carried out by Dr Beething the line closed in 1966 and, by 1972, the track was lifted for scrap.
The Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society, formed in 1996, is now working hard to reopen the line initially between Banchory and the Milton of Crathes. The line follows the banks of the Dee over much of this stretch and wifi provide an excellent way to view the outstanding natural beauty of Royal Deeside.
The Society has submitted its plans and environmental statement to the Aberdeenshire Council Planning Department. A final decision on this application is expected at the end of May 2003. The plans include a new 3 metre wide public footpath constructed at the South side of the existing trackbed. The plans and aims of the Society can be viewed every weekend till September on display at the Visitor Centre situated in the two coaches at the Milton of Crathes. For more information please view the website on www.deeside-railway.co.uk or telephone:
Keith Robertson on 01224 781234 / Fax 01224 896193
• Peterculter station was only ever called Culter station. This was because it serviced the parish areas of both Mary & Peterculter via a small ferry. I reckon this is why Peterculter commonly gets known as Culter!
KEITH ROBERTSON
Royal Deeside Railway Treasurer