Improving the Dava Way
On this page
On going work | Planned work | Recent works | Past works | In our dreams
What are we doing now
Winter and Springtime is when we usually plan volunteer work parties but this year it appears to have extended into Summer! The challenge is often to sort out drainage issues. This winter has been particularly wet and this has tested numerous sections of the track. Much has been accomplished with more days planned. Find out more on about forthcoming events on our noticeboard page.
What's planned
The old Dunphail railway sidings
We have applied for a grant from the Big Lottery Breathing Places programme to carry out work at the historic railway sidings by the old Dunphail Station. find out more
Now that the route is open and off road (apart from a couple of short stretches for cyclists and horse riders) we will, in the coming months, be revisiting our medium and longer term goals.
Recent works
Dava bypass, 21th June, 2008 - Bridge replacement, signage
It was April 2005 when the first working party created a route through Dava by installing 2 bridges, putting a gate in the southern fence leading onto Dava Moor and installing way markers. This was one of several locations where work was essential in order to open the route. Since then Seafield Estate have upgraded the moorland boundary fence and replaced our makeshift wooden gate with a smart new galvanised gate - a big thank for that. Recent inspections and reports from users had alerted us to the fact that the way marking needed imroving and the bridge over the ditch from the track had become rickety. We also had an information board to put up.
Thus it was that the tranquility of this lovely spot was temporarily broken by numerous cars and trailerloads of pipe, ballast and tools. A work gang of 8 set about demolishing the bridge and replacing it with a causeway (a solid job designed to last 100years). A sign post was erected by the track, and additional way marking and direction arrows added at key points. To ensure that visitors know both where they are and which way to go an information board was also erected.
A big thank you to the workers who keep turning up to do this work - and a big thank you to you for the feedback. Keep it coming please.
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
Newtyle Forest, 19th April, 2008 - Muddy Puddles 2
The theme of drainage, mud, drainage, cutting back vegetation and drainage does get a bit repetitive but that is the reality of trying to make a route fit for purpose. The section through Newtyle Forest is well used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders and this sort of traffic needs a good surface. The work last year (see Muddy puddles, Newtyle February 3rd, 2007) tackled the two main wet sections. One section was drained and resurfaced with total success, remaining dry during the wettest winter for years - the other less so and was reverting to a muddy mess. The usual suspects oiled their wheelbarrow and sharpened their spades and set to moving another ton of ballast and half ton of surface dressing to form a renewed raised surface through this section. With deepened drainage channels to take away the durface water to a hopeful that this is now sorted
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
Manachie Farm Bridge, 1st March, 2008
Well before there were plans to open up the old railway line as a footpath there was a great big patch of mud and clarts under the bridge for the Manachie Farm track where water collects. When the path was surfaced in 2006, this was sorted with a new drain installed connecting to the old Victorian drains. It was a bit of a blow when, a few weeks ago, we noticed the water was returning. So, once again, it was out with the spades. After various exploratory digs the prefered option was to dig a run-off canal into the trees. It seems to have worked - after flowing like a river all the day, hey presto - the water has all drained away. There are umpteen jobs like this along the route still to do - if you like the countryside and a bit of healthy exercise why not join a working party. New volunteers and helpers are always welcome, contact our volunteer co-ordinator.
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
Bantrack cutting, 9th February, 2008
Our mission was to install a new information board and to explore the water that flows along the track through the cutting. The side drainage is overgrown and the water flows constantly along the track. It's not muddy but we thought it was worth checking out. It the event we managed to dry out the track for a good 200 yards, about half the length of the cutting. There's always next year to finish the job!
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
Squirrelneuk Bridge culvert, 19th January, 2008
This is the point about 4 miles south of Forres were you drop down from the Newtyle Forrest to rejoin the railway line. There is permanent water run off from the surrounding tracks which means that this spot is always wet and muddy even in summer. The only 'fix' was to lay a drain under the track. With Peter quality controlling all the work, collecting ditches were dug and a drain laid deep under the path. As we worked there was a constant flow of cyclists and occasional walkers passing by taking advantage of the fine, cold winters day. As we left all water was flowing freely under the track. Within a few days the surface waters will have seeped away leaving this spot dry at last.
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
Track works, Dunphail cutting, December 2007
At the start of December we succeeded in gaining some funding from the MAC Leader scheme to carry out the track surface and drainage work at Dunphail.
We needed to provide 50% of the money for this project from our own funds, which in practice meant using the proceeds from almost all our fund raising over the past 5 years.
The project had to be completed by the end of the year.
Do you remember the rain and frosts we had in December?
Despite the far from ideal conditions the work was completed on time - thanks to our contractor and Jim, our Chairman and project manager.
Photo album
Click on a picture below to see a larger view.
It's history
Work so far to change the overgrown and, in places, broken route of the old Highland Railway into a clear route accessible by walkers, cyclists and horse riders has been achieved by a mix of grant funded contract labour and volunteer labour. Without the volunteer workwork, working alone and in collaboration with contractors, the route would simply have never been opened. At the start of 2007 we started to build a photo record of this work.
Dava Way photo album archive
January: Clearing gorse by Rafford
February: Draining puddles, Newtyle Forest
February: CNPA grant, clearing trees and drainage work, Huntly's Cave cutting
March: Clearing ditches, Braemoray cutting
March: Clearing broom,
Dava Moor
September: Draining the
cutting at Dunphail
In our dreams
We would like the Dava Way route between Forres and Grantown-on-Spey to be a pleasant walk and trail bike trail with a good firm surface along the entire route. Additional car parking facilities are needed along the route for the many who only want to explore a short section. Circular routes, making use of the old railway line and car parking facilities would be ideal. We have many ideas and plans - do you? Tell us where to go! How? Support us
