Aberdeenshire Council is celebrating national success after Aden Country Park was named Best Promotion of Heritage Value at the prestigious Green Flag “Best of the Best” Awards.

The honour recognises the outstanding achievements of the Aden Restoration and Redevelopment Project, a major £2.13 million investment supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project has transformed the 230-acre park in Mintlaw into a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable destination where heritage, nature, learning, and recreation come together for the benefit of the whole community.

Chair of the council’s Buchan Area Committee Councillor Dianne Beagrie said: “Aden Country Park has rich agricultural roots dating back to the Neolithic period and has long been valued for its scenic walks, trails, play areas, café, and farming museum.

“We’re thrilled to have won this award which now highlights the park as one of the UK’s leading examples of heritage conservation and community engagement. This award celebrates not just the transformation, but the dedication of staff, volunteers, community partners and supporters who made it possible. I’d like to thank everyone who played a role in helping Aden Country Park become a nationally recognised heritage destination, and a place the local community can be proud of for generations to come.”

The win comes in a year when Aberdeenshire’s parks excelled in the Green Flag Award scheme.

Aden Country Park celebrated its 16th consecutive Green Flag Award, Haddo Country Park received its fourth, and Ury Riverside Park earned the Community Award for the third year running.

Green Flag Award Manager Paul Todd MBE, praised the achievement, saying:
“We know that our Green Flag winning sites most likely would not have achieved these high standards at without the hard work of volunteers, staff and other groups who look after them.

“It’s only right that we continue to recognise the tireless work by Aberdeenshire Council and the parks staff and volunteers to make their parks and green spaces safe and healthy places everyone can benefit from.

“We’d like to congratulate them on their Best of the Best award.”

The Aden Restoration and Redevelopment Project has delivered extensive improvements, including conservation and stabilisation of key heritage features such as the Mansion House, Estate Lodges, Gardener’s Cottage and Coach House.

A new visitor information centre sits alongside a large, accessible multi-generational play park and there is an upgraded arrival courtyard with enhanced accessibility.

New heritage, nature, agricultural and archaeology trails, taking in the newly restored lake and mill pond which boosts biodiversity, offer visitors a different experience each visit.

Aden Park also offers outdoor learning spaces, with pond-dipping areas, and curriculum-linked resources to help children discover more about the natural environment.

Visitor numbers have surged from an annual average of 308,000 before the project to 440,000 in the past two years.

Aden Project Co-ordinator Neil Shirran said: “Aden Country Park reflects everything we set out to achieve. It’s a place where people can connect with the area’s rich architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage, and it’s become a community hub that people can be proud of. The park now offers spaces and activities that support health and wellbeing, while improved accessibility ensures it’s welcoming for people of all ages. We’re also delighted that the project has strengthened the park’s natural environment by protecting habitats and boosting biodiversity.”

“Aden is now a park that honours its past, serves its community, and safeguards its future.”