Ice creams at the Riverside Cottage are a highlight... |
Distance: short (2.6 miles / 4.2km - assuming you return via the bus, otherwise double this)
Climb: none
Difficulty: easy
Underfoot: mostly on a wide, flat path but can be muddy in places
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour
Scenic value: 5 /10
Overall rating: 6 /10
Underfoot: mostly on a wide, flat path but can be muddy in places
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour
Scenic value: 5 /10
Overall rating: 6 /10
View Ballater to Cambus O May in a larger map
Comments: This walk has two great features: (1) it's on a wide, flat path all the way and (2) most importantly - there is a lovely coffee-shop to stop for a coffee at the end of it. There's also two sites of particular historical interest that you'll pass on the way - Tullich Chapel (marked in purple on the map) and the surrounding graveyard and "The Souterrain" (coloured yellow), an underground storage place or perhaps hiding place that dates back to 100BC. Finally, at the end of the walk and opposite the coffee-shop is a cheese-making centre is being built and is expected to open in 2012.
I've given the distances in this walk on the basis that you get a bus back to Ballater. There is a stop just next to the coffee-shop and buses run regularly. If you prefer you can walk back, simply double the distance and my estimated time to complete it.
I've given the distances in this walk on the basis that you get a bus back to Ballater. There is a stop just next to the coffee-shop and buses run regularly. If you prefer you can walk back, simply double the distance and my estimated time to complete it.
Route
This walk, which follows part of the "Deeside Way" starts in Ballater village centre, in the Old Station Square. The station itself is due to be re-opened in 2018 including the new 'The Carriage' restaurant and tea rooms. At the east end of the old railway station is a sign that points the way, through a gap between the buildings and down onto the old railway line itself, behind the station.
Go to the east (far) end of the station buildings and follow the sign. |
Behind the old railway station is the beginning of the path. There are steps or a ramp for disabled access. Most of the path is suitable for wheelchairs although parts of it can be muddy. Follow the path east along the old railway line.
Follow the path east |
It is well sign-posted along the way as shown.
Follow the signs. |
The path follows the old railway line, crossing a couple of back-roads in the village.
Cross the back-roads of Ballater village |
Very soon the path emerges out into the countryside and affords views of the hillsides around such as this one of Craigendarroch, Creag an t-Seabhaig and the Pass of Ballater between them.
Craigendarroch and Creag an t-Seabhaig to the north |
In front of you is the hamlet of Milton of Tullich and Tullich Lodge on the hillside, behind it are the wooded shoulders of Crannach Hill.
Tullich Lodge is on the hillside ahead. |
After about a mile the path dips and crosses the main A93 road. There are gates to slow down those on bikes but be careful with young children.
Beware of main road. |
After another half a mile the path passes the ruins of Tullich Church or Tullich Kirk on the left-hand side. Originally the settlement in this part of the Dee Valley was at Tullich and Ballater didn't exist. Tullich grew up because it was directly across the river from the Well of Pannanich, which was a popular attraction. Marker-posts give you further information about the ruined church and the old settlement. Walking around the churchyard you may notice - the wall is circular instead of square or rectangular. Why? Allegedly it was to avoid there being any corners in the walls for Devil to hide in.
Click for more information on Tullich Church.
Click for more information on Tullich Church.
Just a few paces on from Tullich Church, on the opposite side of the path is a piece of Deeside history thought to be over 2000 years old - "the souterrain". This is an underground space, painstakingly constructed of granite blocks and buried in the ground. It is thought to either have been a storage space for crops or - decades before the Romans arrived - a hiding place for villagers when enemies approached.
Access to the soutterain is gained by going through the gate. Be careful though, the souterrain is in a working field. Do not enter if there are livestock or growing crops there. If you do enter be sure to close and secure the gate behind you.
The Souterrain is in the field on the other side of the blue gate. |
The souterrain doesn't look much from the path but when you approach you can see a square of of barbed wire designed to keep cattle away from it. At the end furthest from the path is the entrance to the underground space.
The entrance to the Souterrain is at the side furthest from the path. |
A gap between granite flagstones leads down into the chamber. It's not easy to see into now but it appears that the gap is only about a foot high. Not very pleasant to have to hide in packed in with your fellow villagers with enemies all around.
Click for more information on the souterrain.
Click for more information on the souterrain.
The underground chamber is only about a foot high |
If you do visit the souterrain be sure to close and secure the gate of the field behind you. Afterwards the path continues along the old railyway line. To the left across the road is what is now a stocked pond for anglers. The hill behind it, Crannach Hill has recently been purchased by the RSPCA to encourage the nesting of ospreys.
A short distance further on the path passes through a wood. To the right is the Cambus o'May Cheese Company creamery which makes Deeside's very own variety of cheese.
The Riverside Cottage
Just beyond the creamery to the left, the path gives access to the road and on the other side of it is a lovely little cafe and ice-cream shop called the Riverside Cottage. There is outdoor seating, home-baked 'Cranach' bread and a wide variety of ice-cream.
The Riverside Cottage is great for an ice-cream on a hot day. |
You can retrace your steps and follow the path back to Ballater (or continue to the Cambus o' May Bridge and walk back along the opposide side of the river - see the longer walk to Cambus o' May and back along the south side of the Dee also on this blog) or if you're feeling lazy, there is a bus-stop a few steps down the road from the Riverside Cottage. At the time of writing the 201, 202 and 210 buses stop here and will take you back to Ballater.
A short way beyond the Riverside Cottage cafe is a bus stop. |
If you're searching for buses look for buses going from Dinnet to Ballater, the bus will pass through Cambus o' May about 5 minutes after leaving Dinnet.
Congratulations, you've completed the walk from Ballater to Cambus o' May!
I think you should post now. Its being a long time to read from your latest posts here.Please add more valuable post for us.
ReplyDeleteHello, thanks for the comment. I appreciate the feedback. I've put two new walks on the site, Muir of Dinnet and Burn o' Vat. I hope you like them.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work airport transfers
ReplyDeleteYour articles make whole sense of every topic. Procore
ReplyDeleteIf you intend to start or purchase a business in the United States, an EB-5 Investor Visa could be perfect for you. The EB-5 investor visa program enables foreigners who want to make an investment in a U.S. business to obtain a green card and become lawful permanent residents, and potentially citizens, of the United States. eb-5 visa processing time
ReplyDelete