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, 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, 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. 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 Alexander Starritt (born 1985) is a Scottish-German novelist, journalist and entrepreneur. Starritt was educated at Somerville College, Oxford. He came to public attention in 2017 with the release of his debut novel ''The Beast''. He was also ...

, author of critically acclaimed novel, "The Beast" * Prof Alexander Boyd Stewart 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.

References

External links

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