ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Letting off steam on the long-awaited Peffery Way between Dingwall and Strathpeffer
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Peffery Way dream was to link Strathpeffer and Dingwall by a path avoiding a busy stretch of road. It can now be negotiated end to end – with the odd barrier to clamber over – and the dream is within touching distance. It has been a fantastic community-led achievement.
The path of the Peffery Way follows the line of the old Strathpeffer railway, opened in 1885 to serve spa visitors arriving to take the waters and stay at the grand Victorian hotels dotted around the village.
The impact of the First World War and declining visitor numbers saw the railway closed in 1946. Fittingly, the attractive original railway station – housing a cafe, shop and the Highland Museum of Childhood – forms the start (or end) of the linear route which comes out near the level crossing on Dingwall's Mill Street.
The rail theme continues with the sight of sleeper marks on sections of the path, some sturdy fence posts dating back over a century at its side and the existing Kyle line.
Human habitation dates back to the Bronze Age with modern-day influences ranging from a former cannabis factory at one end (look it up!) and a Marilyn Monro statue at the other (eyes peeled now!).
Along the way you will see the unmistakeable curve of Knockfarrel, a fine old railway bridge and Fodderty Cemetery, linked by an access path, as well as thrilling mountain bike tracks.
I first walked it in the entertaining and informative company of Peffery Way Association trustees Ron McAulay, Chris Monckton and Mia Sabel. With fellow trustees and an army of willing volunteers, they have put in countless hours of planning, negotiation and hard graft to shape this route into the delight visitors now encounter.
READ ALSO: Breakthrough! Ground-breaking path order removes 'significant obstacle' on Peffery Way
Shared vision is the key to success for Peffery Way: 'I'm one of these optimistic people'
A recent historic Path Order means most of its 3.7-mile extent is now accessible to almost everyone. A couple of barriers along the way prevent full popping of champagne corks but these can be easily (and legally) negotiated by most.
I spent that first walk from Strathpeffer to Dingwall listening to their stories, asking questions, taking pictures and marvelling at what sheer determination, hard work and community buy-in can achieve. I returned alone on a grey, damp Sunday for a there-and-back fact-finding mission.
The sight of an orange cagoule-wearing cyclist dispelled the grey gloom and coaxed me from my car at the Victorian railway station in Strathpeffer. Hitting my stride, the family's ancient spotty backpack swinging to and fro with the weight of the flask of tea and oatcakes I had hastily packed, my spirits were immediately lifted by the dog poo appeals crafted into little signs by local children. (For the record, I saw a total of two dogs pooing and in both cases it was bagged by their companions). But please don't be that person who leaves the bag by the pathside on the feeble pretence you'll collect it later. You won't. Be better than that, especially after all the effort that has gone into this project.
About 800 metres in you arrive at Murdo's Bridge with the inspiring message: "Walk with the trees and the flowers, the bees and the birds, and leave no sign". A more poetic version of what I just tried to say with a grand view over rolling farmland. A red kite wheeling overhead reminded of the path's proximity to the RSPB's Tollie reserve.
Route details
Peffery Way
Distance 7 miles / 11km
Terrain Hardcore all-abilities path for most of the way – but with two barriers to clamber over, at least for now
Start/finish Strathpeffer former railway station or Mill Street, Dingwall
Map OS Landranger 26; OS Explorer 437
Trying out a linear route that has come about through sheer determination of the local community
Click here to see the route in OS Maps
About a mile in you'll encounter the first of two barriers and possibly also a spectacularly disinterested sheep chewing vigorously and drawing your attention to a change in surface from solid, well-tended path to grass and rougher ground. There's another barrier to negotiate before a return to the hard core path and, on your right, a hardwood plantation which it's hoped will be furniture grade timber in 50 years or so.
It's a reminder that we're not around for that long and a good moment to pause and look around at some spirit-lifting countryside. The path was a godsend to many in lockdown and it's easy to see why.
Through the impressive stone railway bridge I see a mud-spattered and very happy looking mountain cyclist who nods as we pass. Across my three passes of this path, I've also seen kids on bikes, an elderly gent on an electric trike, some very fit-looking runners and family groups out for a stroll.
In short, the Peffery Way has already been voted a winner.
Birdsong gives way to the gentle thrum of refrigerated units on an industrial zone on the outskirts of Dingwall with pylons marching across the hillside into the distance on my left. A gate close to Mill Street marks the start (or end) of the path and so to the delights of the county town.
It has walking routes of its own, the Macdonald Monument and the Global Energy Stadium if you fancy getting to a Ross County match under your own steam.
The walk one-way took me a comfortable hour and a half (including lots of stops and a tea break). You simply cannot get lost, it's largely on the level and you can find tea and scones either end. I mean, what's not to like?
- Find out more at http://pefferywayassociation.scot
