More than £1m will help to restore ‘jewel in crown’

More than a million pounds has been awarded to Aden Country Park as part of plans to restore its historic buildings and improve the landscape.

The £1.2 million National Lottery donation has been granted as part of the Parks for People programme.

It is expected to cost £2.13m to fund the project and the remainder of the money will come from grants and cash from the council.

Under the plans, visitor facilities will be improved with a new adventure play area built as well as outdoor learning classrooms and a new pond.

Linda Bolger, trustee of the Friends of Aden Country Park, said the transformation would also bring in two more jobs.

She said: “We’re really chuffed with the award.

“It’s going to be fantastic for the park and there’s a lot of history that we can protect.

“The project will include work done on the buildings and there’s a lot of historic interpretation to be worked in.”

Work is due to take five years to complete, with the project starting at the end of this year.

Central Buchan councillor Norman Smith said: “Aden is the jewel in the crown of Buchan and this will bring it back into the 21st Century.

“There’s bits of the park getting a bit tired, needing revamped and money will do a lot – the amount will make a great difference.

“I would like to give thanks to the staff from the Buchan Development Partnership, and to the Friends of Aden, for their work and support to secure this funding.”

“It’s going to be fantastic for the park”

Aden Country Park is in line for a big restoration