Tarland

Tarland
Tarland is located in Aberdeenshire
Tarland
Tarland
Location within Aberdeenshire
Population690 (2022)[1]
OS grid referenceNJ4799
Council area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode districtAB34
Dialling code01339
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°07′44″N 2°51′32″W / 57.129°N 2.859°W / 57.129; -2.859

Tarland (Gaelic: Turlann) is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and is located 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Aboyne, and 30 miles (50 km) west of Aberdeen. Population 720 (2016).

Tarland is home to the Culsh Earth House, an Iron Age below-ground dwelling that otherwise known as a Souterrain. Souterrains were used to store food and the Culsh Earth House probably served as a community cellar.

Tomnaverie stone circle

Just south of Tarland is the Tomnaverie stone circle, a 4,000-year-old recumbent stone circle. The land is owned by the MacRobert Trust and in the care of Historic Scotland. The circle was recently restored with help from a donation by the trust.

Melgum Lodge near Tarland was originally built as a hunting lodge for the physician to Queen Victoria who frequently stayed in the vicinity at Balmoral Castle.

Tarland Church (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Mo Luaig) commemorates Mo Luag, a saint more often associated with the west coast.

According to legend, a wizard once lived in the area. It was said that he once came to Tarland Fair and cut open a cheese, which produced a swarm of bees.[2]

In 2015 a new bike park was built in Drummy Woods of Tarland, bringing visitors to the local community. The bike park cost around £200,000 to build and features three different level of difficulty so it can suit cyclists of all abilities.

  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ^ Ash, Russell (1973). Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain. Reader's Digest Association Limited. p. 466. ISBN 9780340165973.