Projects funded by the Scottish Government and designed and delivered by Moray Council and Sustrans are making travelling actively between Cullen and Portknockie easier and safer than ever.
In June 2024, work finished on a series of improvements to National Cycle Network Route 1 in Moray.
The projects have widened and resurfaced popular walking, wheeling and cycling routes in the picturesque coastal villages of Cullen and Portknockie.
This has provided safe, traffic-free links for residents and visitors which are useable year-round, giving more people the opportunity to make sustainable journey choices.
Connecting communities in Cullen and Portknockie
A £1.4m project has seen 2.5km of National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie improved.
Before the works took place the path was rough and uneven due to an unbound surface.
It also suffered from drainage issues during poor weather, making it inaccessible to many.
Now, the route has been fully resurfaced and widened, with new ditches and verges put in to prevent surface water.
A fully accessible ramp has also been installed at Cullen to ensure everyone, regardless of age or ability, is able to use the route year-round.
This, combined with an additional £1.45m project to fix a former railway embankment in Cullen which failed after heavy rain, has made the route resilient against future extreme weather events.
2.5km of National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie has been improved. The path has been fully resurfaced and widened, with new ditches and verges put in to prevent surface water. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
Empowering residents and visitors to leave the car at home
The newly upgraded paths have proved very popular with residents and visitors since reopening.
Local resident, Brian, described the new path as ‘fantastic’. He said: “My mother-in-law stays in Cullen, so it is very handy for going across there [by walking or cycling] rather than taking the car”.
Chair of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, added: “We’re spoiled for cycling and walking routes in Moray and I hope these routes will continue to provide people with alternate and accessible traveling options.
“Switching to walking or cycling even for just a short journey helps to protect biodiversity in our local areas.
“In 2019, Moray Council declared a climate emergency and projects like this demonstrates some great strides to tackling climate change.”
Emilia Hanna, Head of Network Development at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We're very pleased to see improvements made to these popular stretches of National Cycle Network Route 1.
“Connecting communities via high-quality, traffic-free routes such as these not only creates safe and accessible spaces where people can walk, wheel and cycle with ease, but also boosts the local economy.
“We hope that this will reduce car dependence in Moray by providing residents and visitors to the area with an attractive and sustainable alternative, both for their everyday journeys as well as for leisure.”
Before the works took place the path was rough and uneven due to an unbound surface. It also suffered from drainage issues during poor weather, making it inaccessible to many. Credit: Graham Wilkinson, 2023.
Good for health, wellbeing and climate
Speaking of the newly improved route between Cullen and Portknockie, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, added:
“I welcome the improvements to the National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie, which have now been completed during Scotland’s Climate Week through £1.4 million of funding from the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with Moray Council and Sustrans Scotland.
“The improvements to the cycle route will make it safer and more accessible for the local community, giving them a more sustainable travel option that will be resilient against future weather events.
“These improvements are funded as part of the £145 million allocated to Active Travel this year, which continues to bring real change to communities across Scotland.
"For our health, wellbeing and climate, the Scottish Government will continue to invest in active travel to help people choose walking, wheeling and cycling for shorter everyday journeys.”
The newly upgraded paths have proved very popular with residents and visitors since reopening. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
Boosting business
The improvements to the route are also supporting local businesses.
Tourism is a key economic sector for North East Scotland, and Cullen and Portknockie are popular destinations on the spectacular Moray Coast.
David McCubbin, Discover Cullen Chair, explains that the walking, wheeling and cycling route is a big draw for visitors “looking for things to do” in the area.
Owner of the Cullen Bay Hotel, Ian Watson, tells us that all of his guests use the path: “The first thing they say [when they arrive] is how long to Cullen? How can I get there? The path’s the ideal place for them now".
And it’s not just visitors feeling the benefits of the upgraded path
Ian adds that none of his employees from Portknockie drive to work: “They always walk – it’s such a nice distance. Come winter, it will make it much safer for them, especially at nighttime. Going home with the lighting now in place, it’ll make things a lot safer”.
The improvements to National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie are also supporting local businesses. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
Partnership working
A further 1.3km stretch along National Cycle Network Route 1, which runs east from Garmouth to the Spey Viaduct, has also been resurfaced and had tree roots removed.
The £260,923 project is making it easier and safer for everyone to enjoy the route.
The projects in Cullen, Portknockie and Garmouth were funded by the Scottish Government and designed and delivered through a partnership between Moray Council and Sustrans.
This is part of Sustrans' wider work to improve and expand the National Cycle Network across Scotland, making it easier for more people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys.
This is part of Sustrans' wider work to improve and expand the National Cycle Network across Scotland, making it easier for more people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
