Oldmeldrum

Oldmeldrum Gaelic: Meall Druim
Aberdeenshire
Oldmeldrum town centre
Location
Grid reference:	NJ808272
Location:	57°20’6"N, 2°19’12"W
Data
Population:	2,187  (2006 est.)
Post town:	Inverurie
Postcode:	AB51
Dialling code:	01651
Local Government
Council:	Aberdeenshire
Parliamentary constituency:	Gordon

Oldmeldrum (commonly known as Meldrum, the name of the wider parish) is a village in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, not far from Inverurie.

The A947 road from Aberdeen to Banff runs through the centre of the village.

Local industries are agriculture and engineering services connected to the oil industry in Aberdeen.

Attractions

Garden at Meldrum House Hotel

Each summer on the third Saturday in June the village is host to the popular "Meldrum Sports", which began in 1930 and features highland games, highland dancing, piping, five-a-side football, displays, stalls and a beer tent.

The Sports were first held in 1930 when a group of local men got together to raise funds to provide cocoa to the local children. Over the years thousands of pounds have been donated to local good causes and charities. The Sports are on Saturday 15th June 2013.

An Arts and Music Festival has been held in March 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 by the Rotary Club to promote local singers, musicians, artists, and photographers.

Oldmeldrum at sunrise

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. It is said to be haunted by a 'White Lady'. There is another golf course to the east of the village, the Oldmeldrum Golf Club, founded in 1885. A 72-year old golfer died in a bunker on the first hole in 2006.

Glen Garioch distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland. It was built in 1797, and has a visitors centre.

Tolquhon Castle is about five miles to the east of Oldmeldrum.

The remains of a prehistoric hill fort are at Barra Hill, two miles south of Oldmeldrum, and Sheldon Stone Circle is about three miles to the south-east.

Haddo House, a stately home run by the National Trust for Scotland, is seven 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 near the Hill of Barra between the armies of Scots 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.

Old Meldrum railway station served Oldmeldrum on a line from Inverurie through Lethenty and Lochter until 1965.

Outside links

• Meldrum Online - New community blog
• 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