In operation since 1965, the Braemar Mountain Rescue Centre is a valuable resource for the Highlands. They conduct in excess of 40 rescue operations per year and rely on their team of volunteers.

Located next to the Scottish Youth Hostel.

]]> There have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago. Come along to the office of the Braemar Highland Society to see various displays on the highland games, photographs and trophies that are not usually on public display. ? ?

]]> Visitors will get tour of station and shown round appliances and equipment. Community Safety stands, with various CS literature and merchandise. Recruitment information will also be available.

http://www.grampianfrs.org.uk

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1869, R Lamb, B listed. The present Parish Church (known as the West Church) began life 1843 as a wooden building, to be replaced by a stone building in1845. It was built as the meeting place for the breakaway group which seceded from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church in 1843. The Church was built in 1870, the design reflected a return to an earlier era of church architecture in the spirit of Gothic revival. This was a reaction to the plain ?barn like? structures which were typical of earlier church buildings. Such was the character of the new church that it inspired the minister of Crathie to advocate doing likewise, and with the help of Queen Victoria, the church there was demolished and rebuilt in1895.

Braemar Castle, a tower house construction, was built in 1628, as a Highland Hunting Lodge for the Earl of Marto replace the crumbling Kindrochit Castle. Burned in 1689 during the first Jacobite Uprising, it was subsequently restored as a garrison for Hanoverian soldiers in 1748. For the past 200 years it has been home to the Chiefs of Clan Farquharson, as well as a number of fascinating tenants. This interesting history offers many tales to tell as you tour the 12 furnished rooms. Now operated by the local community, it has undergone essential repairs, and is now looking to further secure it's future with it's 'Raising the Standard' project to reharl the castle, along with other vital improvements. The castle is a 5 Storey, L Plan structure with a star shaped curtain wall. It is prominently situated on a raised mound on the south side of the River Dee and can be seen as you come into Braemar from the east.

]]> A Missionary from Nigeria visited Banff Academy in 1974 and mentioned the great lack of books in his school in Africa.?As a result,?Keith Brunskill, a teacher at the Academy, founded LINK in 1982 to provide books to Africa. The Charity is now called BOOKS ABROAD and it has sent nearly 500 tonnes of books overseas to 1,500 schools and educational establishments in 80 countries. Our 2.5 millionth book was sent to Zanzibar in July 2011. Most of the work is carried out by volunteers, although we do have three paid employees.

]]> 18th century U-plan town house, with distinctive 3-bay main frontage (facing west) with Venetian first floor window, and featuring a well-preserved, high ceilinged Drawing Room. The original house was built and occupied by George Robinson (1743 - 1827), a major player in the linen business, and a long-serving Provost of Banff.?

]]> This has a majestic classical Renaissance frontage, with Corinthian portico and balustraded viewing platform above, from which, till recently, proclamations were made.? The building has all the dignity of the law.? On this site was the house of Lady Gight, whose grandson, the later Lord Byron, used to visit her here.

]]> This was originally known as Wilson?s Academy, and combined the school with the predecessor of the present Banff Museum. This is a fine classical building, with horizontal lines. It is fronted by a wide pedimented portico of six Ionic columns. The end pavilions have shallow twinned Corinthian pilasters. The building is now refitted as part of the modern Primary School.

]]> This was built as the Commercial Bank, and banks had to look prosperous and built to last, to persuade people to put their money there, so this has all sorts of elaborate detail, bracketed architraves and a dentilled cornice. Some of the inside surviving detail is also fine. The strong-room came in handy for cells.

]]> Built in 1789, by Andrew Wilson architect and builder, with the tower added in 1849 by William Robertson. The chancel was added and interior altered in 1929. There is a small chapel at rear of church in 1994. The pulpit, font, communion table and stained glass in the chancel were all gifted in 1929. Other furnishings came from the Trinity & Alvah Church, with which the Church was united in 1994.

]]> As it proclaims on its frontage, this was built as a "Wesleyan Methodist Chapel". Since 1932 it has simply been a Methodist Church. It is a stone-built structure in traditional style with a small spire. Unaltered externally, it has been developed inside, while retaining some original features.

]]> This Georgian building by John Adam, was constructed on part of the site of the original medieval Castle, of which parts of two walls and a good length of the moat can be seen, north of the present building.

Built for the Seafield family, it is a classical three storey, five window block with a tall pavilion roof. It was planned as the dower house for Mary, dowager Countess of Findlater, and continued as a private house well into the 20th century. There are flanking two storey pavilions that have been restored, and there are plans to restore the curving link wall to the western pavilion. The porch is a later addition and the cupola over the well was built in 1926. There are interesting interiors, especially on the first floor.

The grounds afford spectacular views across Banff Bay.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

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Banchory Fire Station gave a chance for members of the public to see inside the station, view the equipment and meet station personnel who will be able to explain what the equipment is and what it is used for.

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An opportunity to take a short walking tour of Ballogie Estates Home Farm and Ballogie House. The impressive Home Farm was constructed in a court-yard plan from pink coursed granite rubble with additions and alterations by Walker and Beattie in the late 19^th century.? The current Ballogie House was built in 1982 in a beautiful setting on the site of the former Ballogie House.?

The guided tour will commence at the Walled Garden through the farm, taking visitors to the listed Home Farm steading and up to Ballogie House, where visitors can go inside.? The talk will be give visitors information of the history of the estate and the buildings on it and describing the Estate?s current and future development plans.? This will include information on other areas of the estate, such as the development of the nearby former Potarch Hotel site.?

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Ballater fire station provides fire cover for the community of Ballater and the surrounding area. Ballater is a retained station and is crewed by local members of the community who are on 24 hour call and respond to a fire call as and when required. The station has one 10 crew appliance and a specialist forestry unit which is used to tackle wildfires and other incidents where an off-road vehicle is beneficial. The station is also trained in water rescue.

]]> Built by a cadet of Forbes of Corsindae, Balfluig was burnt by Montrose'e men after the battle of Alford in 1645. Farquharson of Haughton bought the estate in 1753. In the 1920s the estate was sold piecemeal, and in 1967 the present owner bought and restored the ruinous fortalice.

]]> The buildings owned by the North East Preservation Trust (NESPT) are situated to the east of the Burn of Durn, which flows into the Moray Firth at Links Bay.

The site was originally developed to manufacture thread from flax. The area of “green” was utilised for the bleaching of the flax, the reliable water supply from the burn providing ideal conditions for bleaching. The name “Back Green” probably derives from bleaching green.In the early 19th century the site contained two groups of buildings – the one to the seaward side operated as a rope making business while the manufacture of sails took place within the eastern range, adjacent to the three surviving cottages. The ropeworks fell into decline and has been lost; the former sail making factory and cottages survive.

The NESPT are currently carrying out a full options appraisal on the property whilst trying to secure funding for its redevelopment. This is a rare opportunity to have a guided tour by Project Manager Paul Higson, and to learn about the history of Back Green as well as the challenges faced in finding a new use for this unique and important part of Portsoy’s heritage.

Please be aware that this is a dilapidated site and stout footwear will be required, hard hats will be provided.

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Come and visit the abandoned 18th-19th Century "ferm toun" (farm town) with it's restored cruck farmed cottage. Be prepared for the 2.5 mile (4 km) uphill walk to the site. The settlement of Auchtavan (Gaelic for the field of two kids) is located at the head of Glen Fearder, sitting some 450 metres above sea level and looking across the River Dee to Lochnagar. It is a rare survival of a traditional Highland clachan or fermtoun. Small communities like these were home to countless generations in the centuries before the Industrial Revolution. Most of these settlements have disappeared and their houses now merely a scatter of stones but Auchtavan survived and has been restored. You will be able to visit the hingin lum cottage and the horsemill. The 20th century house on the site, once the Queen Mother's picnic cottage, will also be open for visitors.

*Auchtavan is situated approximately 6 miles north-east of Braemar. Vehicles can be parked in the lay-by opposite the turn-off signed Aberarder. It is then a 2.5 mile (4 km) up-hill walk to the settlement. The track passes through birch woods and open moorland and can be quite rough, walking shoes and outdoor clothing are recommended.

For further information please visit the Auchtavan website

]]> A fine modern building meticulously placed within the Aberdeenshire landscape. Cut into the hill its simple earthen forms echo prehistoric structures and contrast with the spare modernity of the glass and concrete atrium. he centre was officially opened by Time Team's Tony Robinson on 16 June 1997 following several years planning and a total cost of ?4million.

]]> 17th century, 5 acre walled garden on steep south facing slope, adjacent to Arbuthnott House.?.

]]> The unfortunate eastern extension, and removal of original glazing bars, has damaged the proportions of this classical granite mansion. The diminutive pediment with roundheaded window poking through the cornice is underscaled for this key site. Good gatepiers and steps lead up to another of those rusticated entrances. Side elevation to Union Street is pedimented with broad windows; and there is a vigorous 3-storey bulbous double-bow front to the north. The excellent interior includes a 2-storey hall with oval gallery and beautiful ironwork. The Arbuthnots, a branch of the Kincardineshire family who arrived in Aberdeenshire in 15C , were prominent in Peterhead from the very first.�

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The B listed church was designed by architect James Matthews in 1858 at the commission of Major Ramsay, Laird of Straloch. The building was originally built as both a church and as an estate school. A board school was later built in 1876, since which time, All Saint's has been used only as a church. Major Ramsay's daughter, Mrs Irvine of Drum and Straloch commissioned the 11 stained glass windows and reredos designed by Sir Ninian Comper between 1896 and 1916 installed in the church. Comper was one of the last Scottish Gothic Revival architects, noted for his churches and their furnishings, in particular, stained glass windows. There will be an exhibition on the stained glass windows by Sir Ninian Comper and members of the church will be on hand throughout the day to talk about the building and its contents.

]]> The Alford Heritage Centre is housed in the last of the original? Marts (or Auction) buildings to survive in the North East of Scotland. Marts used to exist in and around all centres of agricultural activity throughout the North East and served as the focus of many rural communities. The Alford Heritage Centre is now a visitor centre and museum ? comprising a collection of domestic, agricultural and rural exhibits of regional importance.

]]> Come along and visit us at the Hub at the West Church and Acorn Centre Inverurie on the first floor.

The Category B listed Church building was altered by raising the floor level to create a caf? and meeting space, whilst retaining the upper gallery which is used both as a place of worship and as an event space for hire. The church has an interesting modern glazed porch extension erected on the main elevation in 2006.

We will be on hand throughout the day to answer any queries, give directions and to assist in planning your visits.?

In addition there will be displays?from the ?Favorite?buildings in Aberdeenshire Project?, Aberdeenshire Council?s?Archaeology Service, Museums Service,?Built Heritage Team, the North East Scotland?Building Preservation Trust and literacy?charity Books Abroad www.booksabroad.org.uk.

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�Designed for George Coats, cotton thread manufacturer in Paisley, who became Baron of Glentanar, the church is a Category A listed building built in the Gothic style. The design is based on a 13th Century church in Leicestershire. The church is built of Kemnay granite with very high quality fittings. Inside the church the fine timber carving on the organ case and windows is attributed to the William Morris workshop. The aisle windows have 15th to 17th Century fragments of British and Continental glass, depicting heraldry and saints.

]]> 1859, Category B listed. The former church was built in 1859 in the Gothic style and its ecclesiastical use continued after the union of the Established and Free churches in 1929 until 1940 when it was used as a store during the Second World War. From 1946 onwards it has been used as a Masonic Temple. The building also boasts a beautifully restored stained glass window by local artistic, Michael Zappert.

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]]> Visitors will get tour of station and shown round appliances and equipment. Community Safety stands, with various CS literature and merchandise. Recruitment information will also be available.

www.grampianfrs.org.uk

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Aboyne & Glen Tanar Memorial Hall, known as the ?Victory Hall?, is set in the heart of the village of Aboyne, Royal Deeside. It is a substantial granite building of character, both inside and out and is an unusually grand war memorial building.??? The building contains stained glass windows and panels bearing the names of those who fell for their country, and on the outside is the inscribed foundation stone.

Inside, in the large Main Hall, the roof has decorative open timber purlins and trusses; the massive timbers having come from the forest of Glen Tanar.?? There is a plaque bearing the names of those who served in the Great War and survived.? In the Formaston Room is the Formaston Stone, an ancient Pictish cross slab stone with interlaced carving, a Pictish mirror symbol and Ogham inscription.

The Hub ??The Victory Hall is also the Doors Open Days hub this year.? At the hub you will be able to find more information about what to see and do over the weekend.? The hall will also be home to various displays from local historical and interest groups in addition to the Council?s Built Heritage Team, Archaeology, Local History and Archive services. Those confirmed taking part so far are:

North East Scotland Preservation Trust?

Visit Royal Deeside

Mid Deeside Limited

Michael Zappert Stained Glass Artist

Royal British Legion, Aboyne Branch ?

Friends of Aboyne Hospital?