Tarland

Tarland (Gaelic: Turlann) is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and is located 5 mi northwest of Aboyne, and 30 mi west of Aberdeen. Population 720 (2016).

Tarland is home to the Culsh Earth House, an Iron Age below-ground dwelling that otherwise known as a Souterrain. 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 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 who frequently stayed in the vicinity at Balmoral Castle.

Tarland Church (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.

Transport
The village was formerly served by bus route 201 until all scheduled bus services were withdrawn in 2023.

Notable people

 * Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick Robert McGrigor retired to Tarland
 * Alexander Starritt, author of critically acclaimed novel, "The Beast"
 * Prof Alexander Boyd Stewart CBE FRSE (1904-1981) agriculturalist
 * Philippa Tattersall, The first woman to pass the All Arms Commando Course.