LATEST NEWS
The History of Lumphanan’s church and graveyard
June 2026
The History of Lumphanan’s church and graveyard. Head out westwards from the village and visit the old St Finan’s graveyard. This little kirkton was the heart of the Parish before the arrival of the railway in 1860. The ‘new’ village grew up to the east, around the station, and the kirkton sank into peaceful obscurity. Lumphanan Paths Group have now placed an illustrated history board in the little carpark below the Manse and Kirk.
Lumphanan has a new path!
June 2026
Thanks to the generosity of Jim Sugden, LPG has fenced a pathway down to the Peel Ring along a field edge. Enjoy a walk to the Peel Ring from the village without having to use the main road. Walk west at the T junction in Lumphanan towards Burnside on the footpath. Follow the minor road downhill to reach the information board about St Finan’s kirk history. Continue towards the hamlet of Burnside, noting Macbeth’s well on your right. When you have passed all the buildings of Burnside, look for a double field gate on the left. Beside it is the new pedestrian gate which will lead you down to the Peel Ring.
Please do not leave litter, and pick up after your dog.
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Fundraising talk - the crofts of Stothill
May 2026
LPG held a fundraising event in the Village Hall – an illustrated talk about the crofts of Stothill given by Ann Raeburn. Ann gave a vivid description of crofting life in the NE of Scotland, so different to the crofts of the West Coast. An appreciative audience enjoyed the evening which ended with questions and a cuppa!
Reproduced with the permission of the
National Library of Scotland
Macbeth's Well
November 2025
The Paths Group has funded a craftsman built dry stone surround to our famous landmark! With thanks to mason Steve Denham, Robert Marshall and Jim Smith for contributing stones and all who support the Lumphanan Paths Group in so many ways.
We are thinking ahead to spring!
November 2025
The Group plus some willing volunteers planted snowdrops, aconites and wood anemone bulbs along Lovers’ Lane. Crocus and grape hyacinths will be a burst of colour along the verge in the village. Our thanks to GreenspaceAberdeenshire who kindly provided the bulbs through the Nature Restoration Fund.
Lumphanan Christmas Fayre
November 2025
A stall at the Lumphanan Primary Christmas Fayre selling cards, sweets and books!
Lumphanan to Burnside path improvements
September 2025
The Paths Group commissioned Martin Ferries to clear the vegetation encroaching on the western path from Lumphanan to Burnside. It should now be easier to push a child buggy along this path!
Aboyne Highland Games!
August 2025
As part of Marr Paths Forum, Lumphanan Paths Group was helping to hand out walks leaflets. The volunteers from Deeside Paths Groups encouraged visitors and locals to use the wonderful network of tracks and paths on offer. What a busy day, the stall ran out of walks leaflets for some areas of Deeside!
People and places: Read about our local Whin Mills in a new article by Ann Raeburn
May 2025
A golden burst of gorse bushes covering a rumble of stones by the Deeside Way , what is there here of interest? This is the remains of a once essential farm implement, vital to keep livestock fed in the lean months of March and April.
Read all about whin mills here in ‘People and Places’!
Lovers' Lane, Lumphanan
May 2025
What has been going on along Lover's Lane? Children sprinkling fairy dust along the path?
No! The Hut have sown wildflower seeds on the bare ground by the burn. The children mixed the seed with sand and then spread the mix along the bank. I think you will agree they all showed great concentration on the job!
We are looking forward to this mix of waters’ edge wildflowers giving delight to walkers in a couple of months.
In the meantime, please give the seeds a chance and try to keep dogs on the path!
A few days later the Paths Group with volunteers planted aconites, snowdrops and wild garlic in the woodland on the other side of the path.
Some of the bulb planting team along Lover's Lane, including an enthusiastic 4 legged helper digging the holes!​
Read all about the group's 2024 achievements!
13th May 2025
The group had a very busy year in 2024, fundraising, working with the council, other groups and organisations, helping to build, repair and maintain the area's wonderful path network. You'll be surprised to see what's been achieved for the community! Read about it here in the Chairperson's annual report.
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The story of Lumphanan's Font
8th February 2025
Fit is this hefty lump of granite appeared in Lumphanan square? Round like a pudding bowl, why is it there and where has it come from? Read the story of Lumphanan’s ancient font that went walkabout on the ‘People and Places’ page here !​
Lumphanan Paths Group is very grateful to Robert Marshall for his time and energy moving the font to the village centre today, where all can now appreciate it!
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A new, improved Gate!
February 2025
Cairnbeathie track has a new easy open gate! Walkers, bikers and riders will be delighted. The new gate is near the start of the lovely Right of Way from Lumphanan to Kincardine O’Neil.
Lumphanan Paths Group is grateful to all supporters, especially LCRA (Lumphanan Community Recreation Association) and The British Horse Society who generously assisted this project. Fencer Mike Robertson has done a splendid job for us all.
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Future events - we need your input! Can you volunteer or join our committee?
Are you passionate about improving your community and the environment? Do you have any ideas for better, safer and more accessible paths and trails? Would you like to spend some time in the fresh air helping to maintain the wonderful network of historic paths and Rights of Way around Lumphanan?
If so, we'd love you to join our local paths group. We are looking for new committee members. Do get in touch: lumphananpaths@gmail.com
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Can you help?
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​We are always looking for new members to help with the group's projects and volunteers to help maintain our paths. If you want to contribute, please go to the get involved page for more information.
​Find us on Facebook and Instagram
​For all the latest updates, seasonal interest alerts (plants, wildlife, livestock), information on path conditions, and more!
WALKS LEAFLET
The latest issue of our leaflet is ready to view and download - click on the image or visit the Lumphanan Walks page. The leaflet maps and describes some of the most well-used local walks. There's lots of information on the local history, landscapes and wildlife you can enjoy on our walks. Hard copiesare available at local shops and venues.
We are grateful for the support of landowners, local photographers and from our funders - ScotWays and Paths for All.
Please be a considerate walker! Lumphanan walks pass through land supporting livestock and wildlife. As the weather (hopefully!) warms up, may we provide a reminder of walkers' responsibilities, including:
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avoid disturbing livestock and wildlife
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keep dogs under control at all times
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clean up after your dog
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close gates
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take litter home
For more information click below:
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PATHS GROUP
Support your local community - wear a Lumphanan Paths Group t-shirt or cosy jumper!
Thanks to a Marr Area Partnership grant from their IGS Fund, visual artist Vhairi Walker has created teeshirts and sweatshirts with our logo in her studio just outside of Banchory. Each logo is digitally cut using vegan friendly heat transfer vinyl then 'hand weeded' (individually close trimmed) and heat pressed. We are delighted with these and already plan to expand our range.
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Sweatshirts: £25 Sizes: S, M, L (Navy)
Teeshirts: £15 Sizes: S, M, L, XL (Light Blue)
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Available by emailing lumphananpaths@gmail.com .
All profits from sales will go towards our latest project.
UPCOMING EVENTS
