Tarland is a small village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, set amid rivers, lochs, mountains and woods. It is located five miles northwest of Aboyne and 30 miles west of Aberdeen, in a beautiful area known for its rich history and fiddle tradition. According to a local legend, a wizard who lived near the village once visited Tarland Fair, where he cut open a block of cheese to reveal a swarm of bees. Tarland has a post office, a shop and a couple of bars where you can enjoy a dram of local whisky.
The village is home to the Culsh Earth House, a below-ground cellar which is believed to have been used for storing food during the Iron Age. Just south of the village, 4,000-year-old Tomnaverie Stone Circle is not to be missed on self-catering holidays in Tarland. In the heart of the village, Tarland Golf Course has an excellent 9-hole course to challenge players of all levels. The Tarland Show takes place on the second Saturday of August every year with a mountain-bike race, truck show and vintage tractors. The 10km Tarland Way from Tarland to Aboyne is an excellent way to discover the area’s stunning scenery by foot or bike.
Just west of holiday cottages in Tarland, the Cairngorms National Park is a vast stretch of wilderness with mountains, lochs, rivers and forest paths to explore. The park is a paradise for walking, climbing, skiing and wildlife-watching, with some of Scotland’s most remote and spectacular landscapes. Take a ride on the UK’s highest railway, visit the reindeer herd at Glen More, windsurf off the golden-sand beach at Loch Morlich or enjoy a dram at the Glenlivet Distillery on the Malt Whisky Trail.
A scenic hour’s drive east from your holiday cottage in Tarland, the granite city of Aberdeen has impressive architecture, museums, galleries and excellent places to eat and drink. The coast north of Aberdeen is stunning with towering cliffs, sandy beaches and peaceful fishing villages.
