Aberdeenshire Farming Museum

Aberdeenshire Farming Museum

The Aberdeenshire Farming Museum features permanent and temporary exhibitions, a working 1950s farm, and lots of room to explore a country park setting.

Aden Country Park is the setting for this collection of historic buildings aimed at bringing Aberdeenshire's rural heritage to life. The north east of Scotland holds roughly one-quarter of the arable land in the country, and as a result, the area has a long and rich heritage of farming and agricultural life. The museum is hosted in the old Home Farm of Aden Park.

What to See

The museum is divided into three main areas, covering the story of the Aden Estate, Horseman's House, and the weel Wrocht Ground exhibit.

The Aden Estate Story covers the history of the estate, the people who worked the land, and the families that lived in 'the big house'. See what life was like for laird and labourer, horsemen, gardeners, gamekeepers and tenants on this large working estate.

The Horseman's House provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of horseman Jimmy Thomson and his family in the 1920s. See oatcakes baked on an open fire, and learn how the Thomson family lived and worked.

The 'Weel Wrocht Grun' is the main exhibit at the museum, The phrase translates as 'well worked ground', and covers the history of agriculture in the north east of Scotland from the late 18th century. See how the land was transformed from moorland to farmland, the tools that helped the ploughman till the soil and plant seeds.

See how new farming machines and tools led to the mechanisation of farming, and how grain was harvested and processed and the pivotal role played by the humble turnip in the development of farming.

In addition to the main displays, there is also a programme of changing special exhibits, including local crafts and folk art.