Railway Walks Along Disused Track Beds

There is a quiet magic to walking a railway that no longer runs. The track may be gone, but the formation remains: a ribbon of gentle gradient threading through cuttings, over embankments, and into dark tunnels. In Scotland, dozens of former lines have become paths, and they offer some of the most rewarding low-level walking in the country. Whether you are a seasoned railway enthusiast or simply curious about the past, these routes let you step into the golden age of steam at your own pace.

Why Disused Track Beds Make Great Walks

Railways were engineered for steam locomotives, which could not cope with steep gradients. That means old track beds are rarely steep. A typical ruling gradient might be 1 in 70 or gentler, making them ideal for walkers of all abilities. The surfaces are often firm – crushed stone, gravel or tarmac – and because the route was once cleared and drained, it tends to be drier underfoot than a random field path. Add in the fact that many lines ran through landscapes that are now otherwise inaccessible, and you have a winning combination.

In Scotland, the Beeching cuts of the 1960s closed hundreds of miles of rural railway. Some were reopened as heritage lines, but many more were lifted and left to nature. Today, local authorities and volunteers have reclaimed these corridors as walking and cycling routes. The result is a network of trails that combine industrial archaeology with wild scenery.

Reading the Landscape: Tunnels, Viaducts and Platforms

As you walk, keep your eyes open for the clues that tell you this was once a railway. The most obvious are the engineering works. Tunnels are dramatic – often brick-lined, damp and echoing. Never enter one without a torch, and be aware that some are gated or unsafe. Viaducts carry paths high over glens, offering views that train passengers once enjoyed. Cuttings through rock show the sheer effort of Victorian navvies.

Less obvious are the human touches. You might spot a length of platform edge, overgrown with moss. A rusted iron milepost. The remains of a signal post or a water tower. At former stations, look for the flat area where the goods yard stood, or the base of a station building. These small discoveries bring the past alive. On the Formartine and Buchan Way in Aberdeenshire, for example, you can still see the platforms at Maud and Strichen. On the Waverley Route in the Borders, the tunnel at Whitrope is a highlight.

Practicalities: Planning Your Railway Walk

Scottish weather is changeable, so pack accordingly. Even a gentle gradient can become tiring over ten miles, so plan a route that suits your fitness. Most disused track beds are waymarked, but a paper map – Ordnance Survey Landranger or Explorer – is essential. Old railway maps and online forums can help you identify features.

• Footwear: Sturdy boots or walking shoes. Track ballast can be loose, and tunnels may be wet.
• Lighting: A headtorch or powerful torch for tunnels. Check in advance whether the tunnel is open.
• Midges: In summer, especially near water, midges can be fierce. Take repellent.
• Access: Some sections cross private land. Follow signage and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Tides: If your route follows a coastal estuary, check tide times.

Distances vary. The Formartine and Buchan Way runs for 53 miles, but you can walk short sections. The Deeside Way from Aberdeen to Ballater is 41 miles, with easy gradients. Pick a stretch that matches your day.

Steam Connections: Heritage Railways and Preserved Lines

Walking a disused track bed is a wonderful way to appreciate what was lost. But it also makes you appreciate what has been saved. Scotland has a thriving heritage railway movement, with several preserved lines running steam services on original formations. These are not museums behind glass; they are living railways, maintained by volunteers and powered by coal and water.

Combining a walk with a ride is a perfect day out. You might walk a section of old track bed in the morning, then visit a nearby heritage line in the afternoon. The contrast is instructive: the quiet path where nature reclaims, and the bustling station where a locomotive hisses and steams. It reminds you that railway preservation is not just about engines; it is about keeping a whole way of life alive.

If you want to support preservation, consider volunteering or donating. Many heritage railways rely on footfall and membership. And when you walk, remember that the track bed you are on was once part of a national network – a network that still lives on in these green corridors.

Notable Scottish Routes to Explore

Here are some of the best disused track beds in Scotland, each with its own character.

• Waverley Route (Borders): The line from Carlisle to Edinburgh was closed in 1969. Sections are now walkable, including the spectacular Whitrope Tunnel and the viaduct at Shankend. The landscape is wild and romantic.
• Formartine and Buchan Way (Aberdeenshire): This 53-mile route from Dyce to Fraserburgh and Peterhead follows the old railway. It is mostly traffic-free and gentle, passing through farmland and former stations.
• Deeside Way (Aberdeenshire): From Aberdeen to Ballater, this path follows the former Deeside line, once used by royalty to reach Balmoral. The gradients are kind, and the scenery is superb.
• Speyside Way (Moray): Part of this long-distance route follows the former railway between Craigellachie and Ballindalloch. Expect woodland, river views and the occasional glimpse of a preserved line.

Each of these routes has its own railway heritage. The Waverley Route was a main line; the Formartine and Buchan was a rural branch network. Walking them gives you a sense of how railways shaped Scotland.

Preserving the Past: Etiquette and Care

These track beds are fragile historic environments. Please treat them with respect. Do not remove artefacts – leave mileposts, signal wire, and brickwork where they lie. Stay on the path; wandering onto embankments can cause erosion. Close gates behind you. If you see damage or fly-tipping, report it to the local authority or the relevant path group.

Most importantly, support railway preservation in whatever way you can. Visit heritage railways, ride behind a steam locomotive, buy a ticket. The money helps maintain the lines that still run, and it keeps the skills alive. And when you walk a disused track bed, take a moment to imagine the steam, the whistle, the clatter of wagons. You are walking through history – and by doing so, you help keep its memory alive.