SAND, SILT, FLINT - BONNY UDNY

UDNY GREEN - BONNY UDNY - FROM THE ALBUM "SAND, SILT, FLINT" BY FIONA SOE PAING https://FionaSoePaing.bandcamp.com Bonny Udny is one of Aberdeenshire’s favourite ballads and is recorded being sung by a number of North East Scotland’s best known ballad singers including John Strachan. This wistful folk song waxes lyrical on the charms of Udny, a small rural hamlet and home to the singer’s sweetheart. It’s many melancholy verses detail how hard it is for the singer to leave the village and that its pastoral charms along with the charms of their sweetheart are always ‘aye on’ the singer’s mind while they are away. Although well known in Aberdeenshire, other similar ballads exist across the UK detailing similar idyllic villages and lovers that are hard to leave and always yearned to return to.

Udny Green Walk The parish of Udny consists of Udny, Udny Station (located on the former railway line to Peterhead and closed in 1979) and Udny Green all of which are a handful of miles east of Oldmeldrum. Serious walkers can explore a stretch of the Formartine and Buchan Way, a mainly flat path that follows the old railway line and stretches for 53 miles through rural Aberdeenshire. Walkers starting at Udny Station can head south through open countryside for around eight miles to reach Dyce, a western suburb of Aberdeen. Or head north for five miles to the small town of Ellen. For less serious walkers, or if time is limited, head to Udny Green whose large tree lined village green is a perfect place to let go of time, simply meander and let children play. The green is surrounded by charming old buildings including the village church and war memorial and a haven of timeless peace. The benches and picnic tables dotted around the green are all tranquil spots to take in Udny’s bonnie charms and maybe even fall in love.

Practical Information Walkers joining the Formartine and Buchan Way at Udny Station will find parking there as well as Dyce and Ellen. While street parking is available around Udny Green. Those travelling on public transport can catch the Stagecoach bus 290 than runs between Aberdeen and Methlick and stops at both Udny Station and Udny Green. The Coffee Apothecary (open Monday – Thursday 10am to 4pm and Friday to Sunday 9am to 4pm) east of Udny Green at the junction of the B9000 and B999 serves speciality coffee and simple hearty meals made from as much local produce as possible in rustic surroundings, or head north to nearby Pitmedden for a food store. If time and budget allows, take time to enjoy a dinner to remember at Eat on the Green, a contemporary Scottish themed fine dining restaurant located on the edge of Udny Green in the transformed local pub.