Coordinates: 57°20′06″N 2°19′12″W / 57.335°N 2.320°W
| Oldmeldrum | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Meall Druim | |
  Oldmeldrum
Oldmeldrum shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 2,187 (2006)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Aberdeenshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | INVERURIE |
| Postcode district | AB51 |
| Dialling code | 01651 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Gordon |
| Scottish Parliament | Gordon |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Oldmeldrum (commonly known as Meldrum) is a village and parish in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, not far from Inverurie in North East Scotland. With a growing population of over 2000, Oldmeldrum falls within Scotland's top 300 centres of population.[2] The A947 road from Aberdeen to Banff runs through the centre of the village. Oldmeldrum has a primary school[3] and a secondary school, the Meldrum Academy[4], which also includes the local library. Local industries are agriculture and engineering services connected to the oil industry in Aberdeen.
Contents |
Attractions
Each summer in June the village is host to the popular "Meldrum Sports"[5], which began in 1930 and features highland games, highland dancing, piping, five-a-side football, stalls and a beer tent.
An Arts and Music Festival has been held in March of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 by the Rotary Club to promote local singers, musicians, artists, and photographers.[6]
To the north of the village is Meldrum House, a mansion and castle built in the 13th century, and now a hotel and golf course.[7] It is said to be haunted by a 'White Lady'.[8] There is another golf course to the east of the village, the Oldmeldrum Golf Club, founded in 1885.[9] A 72-year old golfer died in a bunker on the first hole in 2006.[10]
Glen Garioch distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland. It was built in 1797, and has a visitors centre.
Tolquhon Castle is about 5 miles to the east of Oldmeldrum.
The remains of a prehistoric hill fort are at Barra Hill, 2 miles south of Oldmeldrum, and Sheldon Stone Circle is about 3 miles to the south-east.
Haddo House, a stately home run by the National Trust for Scotland, is 7 miles north-east of Oldmeldrum.
From Oldmeldrum, there are good views of the nearby Bennachie hills.
There is also a skatepark that was built in June 2009.
History
The Battle of Barra was fought in May 1308 at Barra Hill between the armies of Scottish King Robert Bruce and John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan.
Oldmeldrum was made a burgh of barony in 1672. The parish of Meldrum was known as "Bethelnie" until 1684. It was a centre of the hosiery trade in the 18th century.
Oldmeldrum Burgh had a population of 1,110 in 1911 and 1,103 in 1951.[11] By the 2001 census the population was 2003.
Old Meldrum railway station served Oldmeldrum on a line from Inverurie until 1965.
Famous residents
- George Chrystal, a mathematician.
- William Forsyth, a botanist and ancestor of Bruce Forsyth. The William Forsyth Community Garden opened in Oldmeldrum in 2008.[12][13]
- Douglas Scott Falconer, a geneticist.
- George Smith Morris and Willie Kemp, Doric musicians related by marriage.[14]
- Donald Gordon, a Canadian businessman.
- Sir Patrick Manson, the founder of the field of tropical medicine, was born at Cromlet Hill, now a guesthouse.
- Nicholas Bogdan, archeologist and architectural historian,[15] lived at Barra Castle.[16]
References
- ^ http://www.aberdeenshireleader.org/Document_Library/documents/AberdeenshireLAGPartnershipDetailsupdated15Oct07_000.pdf
- ^ General Register Office for Scotland. "Mid-2004 Population Estimates". http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/settlements-and-localities/mid-2004-population-estimates-for-settlements-in-scotland.html. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ^ Meldrum School
- ^ http://www.meldrumacademy.co.uk/
- ^ Scotland the What? trio to open Sports
- ^ Art and Music Festivals
- ^ http://www.meldrumhousegolf.co.uk/files/Brief_History_Meldrum_House.pdf
- ^ Ross, Donna. Trick or treat. Aberdeen Press & Journal, 31 October 2006
- ^ http://www.oldmeldrumgolf.co.uk/
- ^ Dow, Bob. AL DIES IN BUNKER Daily Record, Jun 23 2006
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time - Oldmeldrum Burgh
- ^ http://www.oldmeldrumrotary.org.uk/garden.htm
- ^ Beaton, Alistair. Evergreen entertainer congratulates garden volunteers The Press & Journal
- ^ http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/76/a-salute-to-doric-heroes
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/aug/28/guardianobituaries.obituaries
- ^ A History of Barra Castle
External links
- Oldmeldrum Community Website
- Inverurie Herald - Out & About In Meldrum & Daviot
- Meldrum & Bourtie Parish Church
- The Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum
- Meldrum and Bourtie Community Council
- The Press & Journal
- Mid-Formartine Councillors
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