The 10k (6miles) cycle/walking route between Tarland and Aboyne, called ‘The Tarland Way’ was officially opened on 23rd June 2011 by the Countess of Aboyne. The opening event was organised to encourage as many people as possible to walk or cycle the route from Aboyne to Tarland.
The route starts at the entrance to the Kemsley Green housing development in Aboyne, where the new route follows the line of the Aboyne to Tarland road. It then crosses the road and winds down to the new bridge across the Tarland Burn. The track then continues through scenic and varied countryside until it reaches the Coull road near Coull Manse. Originally the remainder of the route was along the quiet Coull road into Tarland. Whilst it is still possible to follow this route an off road alternative is now in place. In 2015 a grass path was created along the South side of the Tarland Burn all the way from the bridge at Coull to the bridge in Tarland.
The ‘Tarland Way’ was a project initiated by Tarland Development Group and undertaken and managed by the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) with generous funding from Aberdeenshire Council, Leader Two, The MacRobert Trust, the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund and the Scottish Government.
A very informative illustrated booklet created by TDG members describing aspects of local history, agriculture, natural history, and geology is on sale from Tarland’s Papershop, The Pharmacy and the Toyshop/Post Office. It is also available from other outlets on Deeside.
Once in Tarland, there are many circular low level routes which can be followed.
