Aden Country Park

Aden Country Park is a 230 acre country park in Mintlaw. It has been recognised as one of the country's best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag award. The awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country and Aden impressed the judges with its excellent use of green space, well maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

The entrance to the park is situated half a mile west of the village of Mintlaw on the A950 New Pitsligo road. The park is open during the hours of daylight every day of the year. Facilities available April to October.

Approximately a quarter of the park area is mown grass. This provides plenty of space for group activities such as picnics.

A small lake is situated within the park with ducks that can be fed. The River Ugie runs through one corner of the park. Situated in the heart of the park lies a semi-circular farmstead building built around 1800 and a coach house built in 1832. This now houses Aberdeenshire Farming Museum. 

Two people walking through a park

Facilities

Facilities on offer at the park include:

  • the cafe at Aden
  • Aden craft and gift shop
  • children’s play area
  • picnic and barbeque sites
  • walks and trials
  • Hareshowe Farm
  • North East Folklore Archive (NEFA)
  • Arc Recording Studio
  • Book of Deer visitor centre
  • SANDS and carers/sensory gardens
  • outdoor gym
  • dog agility and exercise area
  • horse arena and bridleway
  • car parking
  • toilets
  • Aden Caravan and Camping Park
Ruined mansion house at aden park

Events

The park also regularly plays host to a variety of different events and school outings. There is also an annual Pipe Band Competition, Vintage Tractor Working Day, Wild About Aden event, Easter Egg Hunt, along with popular Halloween and Christmas events. Other activities include an orienteering course, feeding the ducks at the lake, and occasional farmers markets, equestrian events, and vintage car and bike rallies.

Apart from all these 'organised' uses the park itself provides beautiful surroundings simply for enjoyable walking for local residents and visitors to the area. The ruined mansion house creates a great deal of interest as does the fascinating Victorian arboretum which is now being complemented with its 21st century equivalent.

Heritage fund logo

Aden Country Park restoration and redevelopment project

The council secured funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Parks for People programme for regeneration of the park.

You can find out more about the project: