It would have been a common sight for Queen Victoria as she took the train along the Old Deeside Railway line up to her highland home in Balmoral.
And now, a former station house on the now-defunct line has been put on the market – offering the public a chance to buy a rare piece of railway history.
Built in 1894, the C-listed Pitfodels station house is up for sale at offers over £450,000.
Current owners, the Bryce family, moved in and renovated the home in 2012, more than 40 years since trains had last passed the building.
Many of the original features have been carefully restored, including the high ceilings and original boarded timber linings which are on the walls of many of the rooms.
But now their children are moving out, a smaller property is required and that explains why the house is on the market.
Cults Railway Station was the first main station on the Deeside Line between Aberdeen and Ballater. The line between Aberdeen and Banchory was opened in 1853 and extended to Aboyne and later to Ballater by 1866.
Queen Victoria and her family brought many dignitaries and aristocrats from across Europe along the line taking in the beautiful Deeside scenes.
Opened in 1894, the Pitfodels station consisted of a booking office, waiting hall, staff accommodation and toilets.
On the opposite platform was a simple waiting shelter.
However, as passenger numbers along the line gradually declined, the station was downgraded in 1927 and later closed completely in 1937.
Nikki Coutts, branch manager of Aberdein Considine on Union Street said yesterday: “Station House in Pitfodels is a wonderful property in an idyllic setting, with the mature gardens a haven for wildlife.
“A detached C-listed former railway station, it is located in a peaceful location on the Old Deeside Railway Line.
“ With the property combining everything necessary for the modern lifestyle and plenty of traditional features, it will make a fabulous and unique family home.”
