Aberdeenshire (historic)

Aberdeenshire (historic) is a historic county in the north-east of Scotland. It is bordered by Banffshire to the north, Kincardineshire to the south, and Angus to the south-west. The county town is Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland.

Geography

The geography of Aberdeenshire is diverse, with coastal plains in the east and mountain ranges in the west. The River Dee and River Don flow through the county, providing fertile land for agriculture. The eastern coastline is dotted with fishing villages, while the western part of the county is home to part of the Cairngorms National Park.

History

Historically, Aberdeenshire has been inhabited since the Stone Age, with numerous archaeological sites providing evidence of early human activity. The county was part of the Pictish Kingdom in the early medieval period, before becoming part of the Kingdom of Scotland in the 11th century.

In the 19th century, Aberdeenshire became a centre for the Scottish Enlightenment, with notable figures such as Thomas Reid and James Beattie contributing to the intellectual and cultural development of the area.

Economy

The economy of historic Aberdeenshire was largely based on agriculture, fishing and quarrying. The county was known for its production of oats, barley and potatoes, as well as for its fishing industry, particularly herring fishing. The granite quarries of Aberdeenshire also provided a significant source of income, with the stone being used in many notable buildings across the UK.

Culture

Aberdeenshire has a rich cultural heritage, with a strong tradition of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language, music and folklore. The county is also known for its traditional Scottish cuisine, including Aberdeen Angus beef and Arbroath Smokies.

See also

• History of Scotland
• Geography of Scotland
• Economy of Scotland
• Culture of Scotland