Plaidy: Cycling, Clay and Fossil History

Plaidy brings together two very different perspectives: the Turriff Circular through fertile farmland, and a geological history of clay, ice and fossils. Anyone planning a stay can therefore choose between an active outdoor pursuit and exploring how the area’s geological history can be explained. This mix makes Plaidy an interesting destination without combining cycling and local history into a single excursion theme.

Cycling through the farmland

The Turriff Circular is a short cycle route through the fertile farmland around Turriff and passes through Bogs of Plaidy. It also runs via Hill of Brackans and Delgatie; the stated distance is 11 miles and the difficulty level is moderate. This places the character of the landscape alongside practical planning details: the route is described as short, but not as easy.

If you include the route in your travel plans, it is best to consider its distance and difficulty level together. The description “short” is no substitute for assessing these details. Also check current route conditions before setting off.

Clay, fossils and an interpretation of the landscape

During construction of the railway cutting, a block of Lias clay encased in till was discovered in Plaidy. North of Turriff, Plaidy is classified as an erratic block of Jurassic mudstone. The blue clay contains fossils attributed to the Oxford Clay horizon.

One interpretation holds that ice carried the clay away from its original place of deposition, transported it on or within ice over a seabed, and left it at its present location. The geological history thus extends from the rock and fossil finds to a possible explanation of how they moved. Anyone interested in natural history will find a different perspective on Plaidy here than on a cycle ride: the focus is on how material can change location and leave traces behind.

History in several layers

The local history also goes back a long way. In 1375, Plaidy was part of a grant that included Delgaty, Auchins-thogill, Plaidy and Loncardy in the Barony of Kin-Edward. This connection places Plaidy in a medieval context alongside several named places and gives the place name a historical framework.

Other topics lead to railways, crafts and fossils. Plaidy railway station opened on the Banff, Macduff and Turriff Extension Railway. Woollen cloth was also made in Plaidy, and a collection of fossils from the area’s clay beds was historically exhibited. Together, these topics offer different points of entry: the railway belongs to transport history, woollen cloth production to working history, and the collection to the history of interest in fossils.

Choosing the right focus for your trip

For your vacation planning, the main question is what appeals to you about Plaidy: a ride on the Turriff Circular, or the geological and historical side of the place? The route combines an active pursuit with farmland; the stories of clay, fossils, railways and woollen cloth offer further points of interest. If you are looking for a holiday rental, the kind of trip you want can be a useful starting point. That way, your search begins with the experiences you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Inverbervie, New Aberdour, Hatton of Fintray, Fordyce, Pitmedden, Fraserburgh, Banff, Inverallochy.

For the wider travel overview: Aberdeenshire.