Welcome to Aden Country Park in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire
Aden (pronounced Aa-den), meaning bonnie burn or brae, offers a warm welcome, beautiful surroundings, and a wide range of opportunities for relaxation and recreation for individuals, families, and groups to enjoy.
Facilities
Farming museum, childrens play, restaurant/cafe, shopping, lake, nature and wildlife, walks and trails, Arboretum and secluded sands, sensory & Carers’ Gardens. Regular special events and workshops available throughout the year.
In 1974 Banff and Buchan District Council purchased the Aden site and in 1975 Aden was designated a Country Park. With considerable support from the Countryside Commission for Scotland the mansion house was consolidated and in 1983 the renovation of the steading as a Farming Museum was completed.
Aden Country Park is now owned and managed by the various Services of Aberdeenshire Council.
The Landscape Services department of Transport and Infrastructure manage the day-to-day running of the Park. These include the nursery, sawmill, litter collection, children’s play equipment, Caravan Park, trees, woodland, and parkland. The Landscape Services Officer for Buchan and maintenance staff are based in the Park.
The Cultural Services department of Education, Leisure and Learning manage the award winning Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, Hareshowe Working Farm, North East Folklore Archive (NEFA), and arc recording Studio, which are all located within Aden Country Park.
The Countryside Ranger for Buchan, and the Senior Ranger for North Aberdeenshire are also based within Aden Country Park. The Ranger Service has an interpretative centre (the Natural History Cabin), in the park, which is open by arrangement with the Buchan Ranger and used by the Ranger Service for events and with schools.
The Property Service is responsible for building maintenance. The Estates section of the Property Service manage the leases within the park, these include the café, kiosk, craft shop and the agricultural land within the park. The uses of the cottages within the park are currently being explored.
