Mintlaw

Mintlaw is a large village in Aberdeenshire that sits mid-way between Toll of Birness and Fraserburgh on the A952 and acts as a hub for many surrounding small villages. The village is known for its country parks and green spaces. 

The area is also known for its prehistoric monuments, as well as battle sites. The area has been a transport hub since the 1860s when the railway was built. While the station was closed in the 1960s, that has not stopped the village from being a hive of activity. It now houses a large number of amenities for the local area, making it a popular Aberdeenshire location.  

History of Mintlaw

Founded around 1813 by the third laird of Pitfour, James Ferguson, the planned village was marked as unique by its diamond-shaped Village centre (later made into a roundabout). It’s unclear if there was an existing village in the area before the building of the village of Pitfour. However, people have existed in the area since the prehistoric period. We know this due to extensive prehistoric monuments in the area, such as Catto Long Barrow. The Catto Long Barrow is an example of a Neolithic Long Cairn made from pink granite Stones. It’s impossible to know what may be inside without excavation, but two stone axes have been found at the site.  

In the Victorian age, the Maud to Peterhead railway was built, and the village of Mintlaw became a stop. This resulted in growth for the village, and the area gained many affluent families. The post office became a Crown Office and remained that way until the closure of the railway route in 1960.  

Things to do in Mintlaw

While Mintlaw is a small village, there remains a host of things to do.  

• Aden Country Park
  Aden Country Park is a quiet country park for all ages with lovely grounds, woodlands, a sensory garden, arboretum, ruined mansion house that you can explore, a pond and a play area. The country park is free and highlights the area’s farming routes. There is also a museum that is perfect for the curious visitors. The shop and café are also a great addition. Additionally, there is a caravan and camping site where you can hire a pitch. 
• Aberdeenshire Museums Discovery Centre
  The Discovery Centre is the headquarters of Aberdeenshire Museum Service. It’s the first publicly accessible store for the county’s museum service and houses a purpose-built museum storage facility and visitors' centre. 
• Pitfour Estate
  A gorgeous scenic estate with a lake in the centre where many animals can be found. There are several paths throughout the estate, making it perfect for walks. You can also link up the walk to Deer Abbey with the walks, making for a historical adventure. 
• Formartine and Buchan Way
  Following the track of the former railway line, cyclists and walkers will delight at the easy access to the trail from the village centre which offers routes to Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Dyce.  

Schools in Mintlaw

There are 3 schools in Mintlaw: Mintlaw Primary School and the Pitfour Primary School. Both of these schools have a Nursery unit attached to them. Students in Secondary school can attend the Mintlaw Academy. 

If you’re looking for accommodation in Mintlaw, let ASPC help. Our site contains a comprehensive listing of flats, houses and new homes for sale and for rent in Mintlaw, ranging from one-bedroom properties to substantial family homes.

Further information on Mintlaw is available at the Visit Aberdeenshire website.