Tarland
"Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys,
What wealth could never give nor take away."
Inscription on memorial dedicated to Peter Milne in Tarland Square.
Lying at the eastern edge of Cairngorms National Park in the area popularly known as Royal Deeside, Tarland is situated in an area of great natural beauty and historical interest.
The village centres on the square which was once a profitable centre for trade. Built in the vernacular style, the market square in Tarland is surrounded by granite buildings overlooked by a memorial stone to Tarland's most famous son, Peter Milne. An itinerant musician, Milne (like many other Tarland musicians) earned a reputation for his skills and original compositions on the fiddle. Tarland still produces fiddle players and visitors may catch an impromptu session in one of the local pubs.
No trip to Tarland is complete without a scenic drive on the B9119. If you're coming from Aberdeen, this picturesque route will bring you into the Howe O'Cromar with beautiful panoramic views of Lochnagar, Morven and Mount Keen. The vista is popularly known as the Queen's View after Queen Victoria who so admired it on her visits to the area. As such Tarland makes a great base for a range of walks. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside with heather clad hills to its north and walkers will be able to choose from a range of short and long hikes which traverse through both woods and open countryside. Leaflets describing the various routes around Tarland are available from tourist outlets in the village. Golfers are also provided for in Tarland with a nine hole golf course backed by the Victorian church of St Moulag. The course is renowned for its abundance of wildlife " you may want to beware of those buzzards lest they make off with your ball!
A quiet and cosy little village, Tarland lies within the Howe O'Cromar an area of land between the Rivers Dee and Don. Ideal exploring grounds for naturists and walkers, the area is so rich that the settlement of Tarland and its surrounds have an ancient history. Tomnaverie Stone Circle can easily be reached on foot from Tarland. An excellent example of a recumbent stone circle, Tomnaverie consists of 6 stones, all that remains here of the original 12. The walk here starts at the unmissable Millennium Egg Sculptures back in Tarland and is well worth it just for its spectacular views. Another interesting attraction just two miles east of Tarland on the B9119 is the Culsh Souterrain. This mysterious underground chamber once served as a storehouse for the community in the Iron Age.
Photos of Tarland
Tarland Photos (4)
Location of Tarland
