Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that the Formartine and Buchan Way route has now been completed.

The route boasts a 53-mile stretch between Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh, splitting at Maud.

The Maud and Strichen stretch, which was completed in 2012, is the final stretch to be finished and thereby completing the 53-mile trail.

The former railway line played an important role in linking together communities in this part of the north-east of Scotland and now, fully reinstated, the route links communities throughout the east of Aberdeenshire.

The completed route will be used by families and visitors to the area including, walkers, cyclists, horse riders, dog walkers, joggers, runners, and mothers with buggies, families with toddlers, school children, teenagers and adults of all ages.

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The project is part of the 'Trek Aberdeenshire' project and has received funding from a vast number of contributors over the past 15 years. Recently, Aberdeenshire Council provided funding through the 100 day fund, and in the past, other organizations such Sustrans, Sports Council, Scottish National Heritage and many more helped bring the scheme to completion.

Aberdeenshire Council's Provost Jill Webster said: "This is very much a community resource and it really emphasises that this is a facility for all ages and abilities to enjoy all year round.

"The 11 different sections will take you to a dozen towns and villages all of which benefited from the railway in its heyday but which now benefit from a leisure pathway on their doorsteps.

"A lot of hard work over many years has gone into creating what is now the Formartine and Buchan Way and I'd like to particularly thank the Buchan Countryside Group who first began opening up the line as a cycleway and pathway in 1987. Their good work has been continued by Aberdeenshire Council and the result is this safe 53-mile long off-road route right through the heart of rural Aberdeenshire."

(JP/CD)