Tarland (

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

: ''Turlann'') is a village in

Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire ( sco, Aiberdeenshire; gd, Siorrachd Obar Dheathain) is one of the 32 Subdivisions of Scotland#council areas of Scotland, council areas of Scotland. It takes its name from the County of Aberdeen which has substantially differe ...

, Scotland and is located northwest of

Aboyne Aboyne ( sco, Abyne, gd, Abèidh) is a village on the edge of the Highlands in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the River Dee, approximately west of Aberdeen. It has a swimming pool at Aboyne Academy, all-weather tennis courts, a bowling green and ...

, and west of

Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...

. Population 720 (2016). Tarland is home to the Culsh Earth House, an

Iron Age The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age (Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostly appl ...

below-ground dwelling that otherwise known as a

Souterrain ''Souterrain'' (from French ''sous terrain'', meaning "under ground") is a name given by archaeologists to a type of underground structure associated mainly with the European Atlantic Iron Age. These structures appear to have been brought northw ...

. Souterrains were used to store food and the Culsh Earth House probably served as a community cellar. Just south of Tarland is the

Tomnaverie stone circle Tomnaverie stone circle is a recumbent stone circle set on the top of a small hill in lowland northeast Scotland. Construction started from about 2500 BC, in the Bronze Age, to produce a monument of thirteen granite stones including a massive 6 ...

, a 4,000-year-old recumbent stone circle. The land is owned by the

MacRobert Trust Macrobert Arts Centre is a multi-arts venue located on the main campus of the University of Stirling, Scotland. The Arts Centre offers a varied programme of events and experiences – cinema, comedy, dance, exhibitions, family, get involved, ...

and in the care of

Historic Scotland Historic Scotland ( gd, Alba Aosmhor) was an executive agency of the Scottish Office and later the Scottish Government from 1991 to 2015, responsible for safeguarding Scotland's built heritage, and promoting its understanding and enjoyment. ...

. 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 Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...

who frequently stayed in the vicinity at

Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle () is a large estate house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a residence of the British royal family. It is near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and west of Aberdeen. The estate and its original castle were bought ...

. Tarland Church ( gd, 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. 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.

Notable people

* Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick Robert McGrigor retired to Tarland * Alexander Starritt, author of critically acclaimed novel, "The Beast" * Prof

Alexander Boyd Stewart Prof Alexander Boyd Stewart CBE FRSE FRIC (1904–1981) was a 20th century Scottish organic chemist and agriculturalist. He was President of the British Society of Soil Science. Life He was born on 3 November 1904 at Tarland in Aberdeenshir ...

CBE FRSE (1904-1981) agriculturalist *

Philippa Tattersall Major Philippa "Pip" Joan Angel Tattersall is a Scottish soldier, born 1975 in Tarland, Aberdeenshire. She is the first woman to succeed in the 9-week All Arms Commando Course, joining the main manoeuvre formation, 3 Commando Brigade. Tattersa ...

, The first woman to pass the

All Arms Commando Course The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) lasts for 13 weeks and is run by the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. Members from any of the United Kingdom's Regular Armed Forces (e.g. personnel from units atta ...

References

External links

Cromar Parish Church
Villages in Aberdeenshire {{Aberdeenshire-geo-stub