Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Interesting news · 25 June 2025

Wild West Village in Aberdeenshire Celebrates 20 Years

Aberdeenshire · from facebook.com

Photograph · facebook.com

A full-scale Wild West village hidden in the countryside near Tarland is marking two decades since it first opened. Built in 2005 by a group of enthusiasts, the site recreates an American frontier town, complete with saloons, wooden storefronts, and staged shootouts.

Over the years it has grown, with seasonal open days, live cowboy re-enactments and family activities. The anniversary celebrations include expanded events and performances to mark the occasion.

It is still run by volunteers, and visitors come back year after year.

Read it at the sourcefacebook.com

Going to Aberdeenshire?

What the guide would send a friend: four to start with, and the whole of it in its pages
The Aberdeenshire guide
A Hidden Scotland guideAberdeenshireCastle country, a quiet dramatic coastRead the guide
Food & drink · Ballater

Lunch and a Wander in Ballater

The road west follows the River Dee closely now, with woodland and heather rising on either side. It’s about 35 minutes from Milton of Crathes to Ballater…

Tours & experiences · Aberdeen

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

The sixth oldest golf club in the world, founded in 1780, playing the classic Balgownie links among the dunes north of the Don at Bridge of Don.

Cafés · Pennan

Coastal Cuppie

A little coffee shack on the harbour at Pennan, open from April to October for tea, coffee and homemade cakes, cash only, supporting the village.

Cafés · Stonehaven

Aunty Bettys

A family-run ice cream, dessert and sweetie shop on Stonehaven's beachfront, known for its quirky style, loaded toppings and ice cream made with local produce.

Somewhere to stay.

Under the same sky as the story, chosen by us
Every place to stay in Aberdeenshire
Stay · Aberdeenshire

North Lodge and River Cabin

A Victorian lodge on the Glen Dye estate, with a cabin of its own on the bank of the River Dye.

Stay · Aberdeenshire

Faunoran House

A granite house among silver birches, a short walk from the gates of Balmoral.

Stay · Aberdeenshire

No 5 Steading Cottage

A stone steading cottage for seven, with a games room of its own across the yard.

Stay · Aberdeenshire

No 4 Steading Cottage

A stone house for seven in a restored Victorian barn, with a hot tub down a woodland path.

Hidden Scotland in printOut now
Hidden Scotland, in print

Aberdeenshire, at length.

The magazine is a hundred and sixty pages, twice a year. Have it posted, or join and read every issue on any screen.

Buy the current issueJoin from £30.00 a year
Aberdeenshire in the archiveAberdeenshire's Most HauntedAberdeenshire CastlesHotel Getaways in Aberdeenshire

More from Aberdeenshire.

The latest three, newest first
Everything this week
Aberdeenshire · nature.scot

Record ringing season for terns at Forvie

The season's ringing total, announced on 4 August, includes more than 1,000 Sandwich terns, over 100 Arctic terns, and smaller numbers of common terns and black-headed gulls.