Aberdeenshire - Hidden Scotland

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Aberdeenshire, nestled in northeastern Scotland, is famed for its scenic landscapes, historic castles, and charming villages. The region offers diverse attractions, from the rugged Cairngorms to the serene North Sea coast. Aberdeenshire's rich cultural heritage and outdoor activities make it a compelling destination for travelers seeking a blend of history and nature.

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At its heart, Hidden Scotland is dedicated to showcasing the essence of Scotland in all its diversity-popular landmarks, secluded spots, captivating stories, and unforgettable experiences. Our bi-annual magazine serves as a curated guide to the blend of the wild and artistic that defines this unique country.

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Interesting news from Aberdeenshire

New book tells the 22,000-year story of Glen Dye

Charlie Gladstone, who's owned the Glen Dye estate in Aberdeenshire since 1982, has self-published a new book called Real Wild Heaven: 22,000 Years of Glen Dye. It's part historical fiction, part geography lesson, part meditation on how short life is, and part opinion piece on land ownership. The landscape of Glen Dye sits at its heart, and is a very real character in the book. Gladstone and his wife Caroline have spent decades creatively restoring Glen Dye, which now offers one of the most creative places to stay in the area, all log cabins and cottages, plus the new shop, Gladstone's Luxury Dry Goods. The idea struck him in January and the book was written in a flurry of inspiration. There are listening recommendations dotted through it too, reflecting his other great passion, music. "This book has been gestating for forty years and then when it was ready it was born very quickly," he said.

There's a hardback with eight pages of photos, 22 illustrations and a map at £29.99, and a paperback at £19.99.

The book launch is at the Glen Dye shop, Gladstone's Luxury Dry Goods, on 9 July.

New book tells the 22,000-year story of Glen Dye

Aberdeen's Kirsty Muir finishes fourth in the women’s big air final at the 2026 Olympics

British freestyle skier Kirsty Muir finished fourth in the women’s big air final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, narrowly missing out on a medal. She delivered one of the highest individual jump scores with a double cork 1620 but was overtaken in the final round by competitors from Canada, China and Italy. This was the second time at these Games that the 21-year-old from Aberdeen narrowly missed the podium, having also placed fourth in the slopestyle final. Muir said her result was “bittersweet” after going for a trick she had not landed before and giving her best effort.

Dog walkers discovered 2,000-year-old beach footprints

Dog walkers at Lunan Bay in Angus discovered 2,000-year-old human and animal footprints exposed by winter storms, prompting a rapid archaeological response from the University of Aberdeen. The prints, previously buried beneath sand dunes, included humans as well as red and roe deer. Archaeologists worked in extreme winds to document the site using 3D models, physical casts, and drone photography before the storms destroyed it. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the markings’ age, offering a rare glimpse into Iron Age life on what was once a lush salt marsh. The discovery provides valuable insight into human-environment interaction in ancient Scotland.

Fossil dating back 410 million years joins museum collection

A 410 million year old fossil of Prototaxites has been added to the national collection at National Museums Scotland. The specimen was discovered near Rhynie in Aberdeenshire, an area known for its rich prehistoric deposits. Prototaxites was a giant organism that once grew up to eight metres tall, towering over early plants and animals. Long thought to be a type of fungus, new research suggests it belonged to a completely distinct and now extinct branch of life. Scientists say the find offers important insight into early life on land and Scotland’s role in palaeontological research.

University of Aberdeen to open India campus this year

The University of Aberdeen has confirmed it will open a new campus in India later this year. The branch campus will be based in the Powai area of Mumbai, with admissions now open and teaching expected to begin in September. Initial courses will focus on artificial intelligence, management, computing and data science. The university received approval from the Indian government last year to progress the plans. The move marks the institution’s first overseas campus and is intended to strengthen international academic links and attract students from across India and the wider region.