As an Aberlour quine, I have fond memories of my time as a Speyside High School pupil, and like to keep up with news of my alma mater.

But I was astounded to read the latest – that kids from Craigellachie will soon be expected to walk just over two miles to the secondary school in Aberlour.

For those that don’t know the area well, the only safe walking route between the villages of Aberlour and Craigellachie is the Speyside Way.

I use the term ‘safe’ loosely here.

What is the Speyside Way?

This picturesque stretch of the popular Speyside Way walking route, once a railway line, runs between the River Spey and the A95.

Moray Council has changed its entitlement criteria for free school transport from two miles to three miles for secondary school pupils.

This unlit path, trail, whatever you want to call it, flanked by field and forest, has been assessed as a ‘safe walking route’.

I left Aberlour when I left Speyside High School, more than 20 years ago, and am now an honorary Fifer.

In my childhood the Speyside Way — or the Line, as we called it — was part of my playground.

I’d ride my bike as fast I could over the bumps in the pitch black railway tunnel, shouting as I went to hear my echo.

When I went to visit my gran in ‘the Craig’ this is the way I would go.

My family still live in Aberlour, so I visit a few times a year.

We go for leisurely walks along it. I’ve even run a few half marathons along it (shout out to The Dramathon!)

It’s a lovely, lovely ramble in the summer. Even more so in the autumn, when the leaves are turning.

But on a dark winter’s morning? And for unaccompanied kids as young as 11?

Even in summer, I would be horrified at the prospect of my 12-year-old daughter or my 14-year-old son walking to school that way.

Most pupils will likely walk with friends, but what about those walking alone?

Once you leave Craigellachie or Aberlour, the Line can be an isolated place.

You meet only the occasional walker or cyclist, and are hidden from view by traffic on the nearby road.

A would-be attacker or a school bully would have no difficulty in targeting their victim unseen.

And if a child suffers an injury, either by accident or assault, emergency services will have a task on their hands reaching them quickly.

A winter wonderland no snowploughs or gritters can reach

And that’s before we even get to winter.

In December and January it will be dark for most of the hour or so these kids will be expected to walk to and from school.

Then there’s the snow and ice. Sitting under the shadow of Ben Rinnes, Aberlour and Craigellachie get more than their fair share of the white stuff.

Just think of the wintry conditions the area endured at the start of this year.

Even when the roads and pavements their friends and teachers will use are ploughed and gritted, the Line will remain a winter wonderland of snow and ice.

Parents have been told their kids can use the service buses. But this will get them in late, and have them waiting at the bus stop for 50 minutes at home time.

I was unaware until the P&J reported it last week, that some of my schoolfriends narrowly escaped having to do this daily walk.

Grampian Regional Council proposed scrapping this same bus in 1987.

But people power won the day, furious parents persuading the authority to park its nonsensical idea.

Today’s parents are just as angry, if not more so.

Let’s hope they can ensure common sense prevails again.

As I said, the Speyside Way between Aberlour and Craigellechie is a thoroughly pleasant stroll – I do recommend you try it if you haven’t already.

But to suggest it is an acceptable walking route for schoolchildren is, to my mind, both ludicrous and dangerous.

© The Press & Journal