Editing Aberdeenshire

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Aberdeenshire
| native_name             = {{Unbulleted list
 |{{native name|gd|Siorrachd Obar Dheathain}}
 |{{native name|sco|Aiberdeenshire}}
 }}
| settlement_type         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|Council area]]
| image_skyline           = 
| imagesize               = 
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = 
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = 
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_blank_emblem      = 
| blank_emblem_size       = 
| blank_emblem_type       = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
| etymology               = 
| nickname                = 
| motto                   = 
| image_map               = Aberdeenshire UK location map.svg
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Aberdeenshire shown within Scotland
| coordinates             = {{coord|57|9|3.6|N|2|7|22.8|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = United Kingdom
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1       = Scotland
| subdivision_type2       = 
| subdivision_name2       = 
| subdivision_type3       = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy area]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[County of Aberdeen|Aberdeenshire]], [[Banffshire]]{{nbsp}}(part), [[Kincardineshire]]
| subdivision_type4       = 
| subdivision_name4       = 
| established_title       = Incorporated
| established_date        = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
| established_title1      = 
| established_date1       = 
| named_for               = [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]]
| seat_type               = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
| seat                    = [[Aberdeen]]
| parts_type              = 
| parts                   = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy |title=Council and democracy |website=Aberdeenshire Council |access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref>
| government_type         = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
| governing_body          = [[Aberdeenshire Council]]
| leader_title            = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name             = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000034}}
| leader_title1           = 
| leader_name1            = 
| leader_title2           = 
| leader_name2            = 
| leader_title3           = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name3            = {{Collapsible list |title=3 MPs
 |[[Andrew Bowie (politician)|Andrew Bowie]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
 |[[Harriet Cross (politician)|Harriet Cross]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
 |[[Seamus Logan]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
| leader_title4           = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
| leader_name4            = {{Collapsible list |title=7 MSPs
 |[[Alexander Burnett (politician)|Alexander Burnett]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
 |[[Mairi Gougeon]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Gillian Martin]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Karen Adam]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Audrey Nicoll]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Maurice Golden]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
 |[[Liam Kerr]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000034}}
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| area_rank               = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000034}}]]
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="popstats" />
| population_as_of        = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
| population_total        = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000034}}
| population_rank         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000034}}]]
| population_density_km2  = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000034}}
| population_demonym      = 
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1    = 
| demographics1_info1     = 
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = 
| demographics2_footnotes = 
| demographics2_title1    = 
| demographics2_info1     = 
| timezone1               = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1             = +0
| timezone1_DST           = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +1
<!-- Codes -->
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code             = 
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code               = 
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-ABD]]
| blank1_name             = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info             = S12000034
| website                 = {{URL|aberdeenshire.gov.uk}}
}}
'''Aberdeenshire''' ({{langx|sco|Aiberdeenshire}}; {{langx|gd|Siorrachd Obar Dheathain}}) is one of the 32 [[Subdivisions of Scotland#council areas of Scotland|council areas of Scotland]].

It takes its name from the [[Shires of Scotland|historic county]] of [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]], which had substantially different boundaries. The Aberdeenshire Council area includes all of the areas of the historic counties of Aberdeenshire and [[Kincardineshire]] except the area making up [[Aberdeen City]] Council area, as well as part of [[Banffshire]]. The historic county boundaries are still officially used for a few purposes, namely land registration and [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy]].<ref>[http://www.ros.gov.uk/pdfs/map.pdf Land Register Counties & Operational Dates<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928060517/http://www.ros.gov.uk/pdfs/map.pdf |date=28 September 2013 }}</ref>

[[Aberdeenshire Council]] is headquartered at [[Woodhill House]] in [[Aberdeen]], making it the only Scottish council whose headquarters are located outside its jurisdiction. Aberdeen itself forms a different council area (Aberdeen City). Aberdeenshire borders onto [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] and [[Perth and Kinross]] to the south, [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] and [[Moray]] to the west and [[Aberdeen City council area|Aberdeen City]] to the east.

Traditionally, it has depended economically on the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, and forestry) and related processing industries. Over the last 40 years, the development of the oil and gas industry and associated service sector has broadened Aberdeenshire's economic base, and contributed to a rapid population growth of some 50% since 1975.<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile2012.pdf |title=Aberdeenshire Council – Profile 2012 |access-date=11 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221223911/http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile2012.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Its land represents 8% of Scotland's overall territory. It covers an area of {{convert|6313|sqkm}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aberdeenshire profile |url=http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile201320813.pdf |publisher=Aberdeenshire Council |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307210958/http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile201320813.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=Turner>{{cite encyclopedia|pages = 1301|encyclopedia= The Statesman's Yearbook 2014| editor-first= Barry|editor-last=Turner|year = 2013 | publisher = Macmillan Publishers Ltd.|isbn = 978-0-230-37769-1|title = Scotland}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Blaeu - Atlas of Scotland 1654 - ABERDONIA & BANFIA - Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.jpg|300px|thumb|left|1654 map covering "Aberdonia & Banfia" ([[Banffshire]])]]
[[File:Aberdeen Aberdeenshire Moray topo.png|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Topographic map of Aberdeenshire and Moray]]
Aberdeenshire has a rich prehistoric and historical heritage. It is the locus of a large number of [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]] archaeological sites, including [[Longman Hill]], [[Kempstone Hill]], [[Catto Long Barrow]] and [[Cairn Lee]]. The area was settled in the [[Bronze Age]] by the [[Beaker culture]], who arrived from the south around 2000–1800 BC.<ref name=EB/> Stone circles and cairns were constructed predominantly in this era. In the [[Iron Age]], hill forts were built.<ref name=EB/> Around the 1st century AD, the [[Taexali]] people, who left little history, were believed to have resided along the coast.<ref name=EB/> The [[Picts]] were the next documented inhabitants of the area and were no later than 800–900 AD. The [[Roman Empire|Romans]] also were in the area during this period, as they left signs at [[Kintore, Aberdeenshire|Kintore]].<ref name=EB/> Christianity influenced the inhabitants early on, and there were [[Celts|Celtic]] monasteries at [[Old Deer]] and [[Monymusk]].<ref name=EB/>

Since [[medieval]] times, there have been many traditional paths that crossed the [[Mounth]] (a spur of mountainous land that extends from the higher inland range to the [[North Sea]] slightly north of [[Stonehaven]]) through present-day Aberdeenshire from the Scottish Lowlands to the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]]. Some of the most well known and historically important [[trackway]]s are the [[Causey Mounth]] and [[Elsick Mounth]].<ref>[[W. Douglas Simpson]], ''"The Early Castles of Mar",'' Proceedings of the Society, 102, 10 December 1928</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18037 |title=C.Michael Hogan, ''Elsick Mounth'', Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham |publisher=Megalithic.co.uk |access-date=6 July 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110610071947/http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18037| archive-date= 10 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Aberdeenshire played an important role in the fighting between the Scottish [[Kings of Scotland|dynasties]]. [[Macbeth]] fell at [[Lumphanan]] in 1057.<ref name=EB/> During the [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] penetration, other families arrive, such as [[House of Balliol]], [[Clan Bruce]], and [[Clan Cumming]] (Comyn).<ref name=EB/> During the [[Scottish Wars of Independence]], the [[King of England]] [[Edward I]] travelled across the area twice with his invading army, in 1296 and 1303. In 1307, [[Robert the Bruce]] was victorious near [[Inverurie]].

These new families set the stage for the upcoming rivalries during the 14th and 15th centuries.<ref name=EB/> This rivalry grew worse during and after the Protestant Reformation when religion was another reason for conflict between the clans. The Gordon family adhered to [[Catholicism]] and the [[Clan Forbes|Forbeses]] to [[Protestantism]]. Aberdeenshire was the historic seat of the [[Thomas Dempster#The fall of the clan|clan Dempster]].<ref>[https://www.geni.com/people/William-Leslie-Ninth-Baron-of-Balquhain/6000000007193751531 Geni - William Leslie]</ref><ref>[https://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/turriff.htm The New Statistical Account of Scotland]</ref> Three universities were founded in the area prior to the 17th century, [[King's College, Aberdeen|King's College]] in [[Old Aberdeen]] (1494), [[Marischal College]] in [[Aberdeen]] (1593), and the [[Fraserburgh University|University of Fraserburgh]] (1592).

During the 17th century, Aberdeenshire was the location of more fighting, centred on the [[Marquess of Montrose]] and the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]].<ref name=EB/> This period also saw increased wealth due to the increase in trade with Germany, Poland, and the [[Low Countries]].<ref name=EB/>

After the end of the [[Glorious Revolution|Revolution of 1688]], an extended peaceful period was interrupted only by fleeting events such as the [[Rising of 1715]] and the [[Rising of 1745]]. The latter resulted in the end of the ascendancy of [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Episcopalianism]] and the feudal power of landowners. An era began of increased agricultural and industrial progress.<ref name=EB/>

The present council area is named after the [[Counties of Scotland|historic county]] of [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]], which has different boundaries and ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]]. The pre-1975 territory of Aberdeenshire was then split between four of the five new districts in the [[Grampian]] region: [[Banff and Buchan]] (which also included eastern parts of Banffshire, including its county town of [[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]), [[Gordon, Scotland|Gordon]], [[Kincardine and Deeside]] (which also included most of Kincardineshire), and Aberdeen City. Local government functions were shared between the two levels.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

The modern council area was created in 1996 under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]]. It covers the combined area of the Banff and Buchan, Gordon, and Kincardine and Deeside districts that had been created in 1975. The present Aberdeenshire Council area therefore consists of all of the historic counties of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire (except the area of those two counties making up Aberdeen City), as well as the north-east portions of Banffshire.<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Dale H. |editor-last=Hoiberg |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Aberdeenshire |edition=15th |year=2010 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. |volume=I: A-ak Bayes |location=Chicago, IL |isbn=978-1-59339-837-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/28 28–29] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/28 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
The population of the council area has risen over 50% since 1971 to approximately {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000034}} in {{UK subdivision statistics year}},<ref name="popstats" /> representing 4.7% of Scotland's total. Aberdeenshire's population has increased by 9.1% since 2001, while Scotland's total population grew by 3.8%.
The census lists a relatively high proportion of under 16s and slightly fewer working-age people compared with the Scottish average.<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012" />

Aberdeenshire is one of the most homogeneous/indigenous regions of the UK. In 2011, 82.2% of residents identified as 'White Scottish', followed by 12.3% who are 'White British', whilst ethnic minorities constitute only 0.9% of the population. The largest ethnic minority group is Asian Scottish/British at 0.8%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/11870/identityreportcensus2011.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/11870/identityreportcensus2011.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Aberdeenshire Council Identity in 2011 Census}}</ref> In addition to the English language, 48.8% of residents reported being able to speak and understand the Scots language.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/24618/inverurietownprofile.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/24618/inverurietownprofile.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=What's happening in... Aberdeenshire's Towns Inverurie & Port Elphinstone|date=August 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Ethnic Group
! colspan="2" |[[2001 United Kingdom census|2001]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Census Dissemination Unit |first=Mimas |date=5 May 2011 |title=InFuse |url=https://infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk |language=English}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2011 United Kingdom census|2011]]<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland's Census 2011&nbsp;– Table KS201SC |url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html |publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107044126/https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2021 United Kingdom census#2022 census for Scotland|2022]]<ref name="2022census_Scot">{{cite web |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/trbdxzme/scotland-s-census-2022-ethnic-group-national-identity-language-and-religion-chart-data.xlsx |title=Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 May 2024 |website=Scotland's Census |publisher=[[National Records of Scotland]] |access-date=21 May 2024 }} [https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/search-by Alternative URL] 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'Aberdeenshire' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people|White]]: Total
!225,243
!99.28%
!249,112
!98.47%
!256,017
!97.08%
|-
|White: [[Scottish people|Scottish]]
| 194,169
| 85.59%
| 207,936
| 82.20%
| 210,537
| 79.83%
|-
|White: [[White British|Other British]]
| 26,945
| 11.88%
| 31,158
| 12.32%
| 32,508
| 12.33%
|-
|White: [[Irish Briton|Irish]]
| 976
| 0.43%
| 1,162
| 0.46%
| 1,493
| 0.57%
|-
|White: [[Irish Traveller|Gypsy/Traveller]]{{efn|name="auto"|New category created for the 2011 census}}
| –
| –
| 175
| 0.07%
| 169
| 0.06%
|-
|White: [[White Polish|Polish]]{{efn|name="auto"}}
| –
| –
| 3,020
| 1.19%
| 3,998
| 1.52%
|-
|White: [[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other]]
| 3,153
| 1.39%
| 5,661
| 2.24%
| 7,312
| 2.77%
|-
![[Asian people|Asian]], [[Asian-Scots|Asian Scottish]] or [[British Asian|Asian British]]: Total
!645
!0.28%
!2,037
!0.81%
!2,939
!1.11%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Indian|Indian]]
| 166
| 0.07%
| 473
| 0.19%
| 783
| 0.30%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Pakistani|Pakistani]]
| 69
| –
| 253
| 0.10%
| 343
| 0.13%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshi|Bangladeshi]]
| 29
| –
| 138
| 0.05%
| 106
| –
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
| 277
| 0.12%
| 424
| 0.17%
| 575
| 0.22%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Asian|Asian Other]]
| 104
| 0.05%
| 749
| 0.30%
| 1,135
| 0.43%
|-
![[Black people|Black]], [[Black Scottish people|Black Scottish]] or [[Black British]]{{efn|Category restructured for the 2011 census}}
!14
! –
! –
! –
! –
! –
|-
![[Black people|African]]: Total
!85
!–
!490
!0.19%
!1,313
!0.50%
|-
|African: [[Black people|African]], [[Black Scottish people|African Scottish]] or [[Black British|African British]]
| –
| –
| 487
| 0.19%
| 88
| –
|-
|African: [[Black British|Other African]]
| –
| –
| 3
| –
| 1,224
| 0.46%
|-
![[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]] or [[Black British|Black]]: Total
!–
!–
!269
!0.11%
!255
!0.10%
|-
|[[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]]
| 82
| –
| 159
| 0.06%
| 100
| 0.04%
|-
|[[Black British|Black]]
| –
| –
| 76
| –
| 16
| –
|-
|Caribbean or Black: [[Other Black|Other]]
| –
| –
| 34
| –
| 137
| 0.05%
|-
![[British Mixed|Mixed or multiple ethnic groups]]: Total
!463
!0.20%
!294
!0.12%
!2,074
!0.79%
|-
!Other: Total
!339
!0.15%
!294
!0.12%
!1,122
!0.43%
|-
|Other: [[British Arabs|Arab]]{{efn|name="auto"}}
| –
| –
| 131
| 0.05%
| 436
| 0.17%
|-
|Other: Any other ethnic group
| –
| –
| 163
| 0.06%
| 682
| 0.26%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total:
!226,871
!100.00%
!252,973
!100.00%
!263,723
!100.00%
|}

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Scotland Aberdeenshire
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Aberdeenshire.}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.502|-1.801}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Peterhead|{{nowrap|Peterhead{{pad|1.1em}}}}]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.28|-2.38}}|position=left|label='''[[Inverurie]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.693|-2.005}}|position=top|label='''{{nowrap|[[Fraserburgh]]}}'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.154|-2.284}}|position=left|label='''[[Westhill, Aberdeenshire|Westhill]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|56.964|-2.211}}|position=right|label='''[[Stonehaven]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.366|-02.086}}|position=top|label='''[[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.061|-2.130}}|position=right|label='''[[Portlethen]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.055|-2.49}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Banchory]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.2332|-2.3461}}|position=top|label='''{{pad|2.7em}}{{nowrap|[[Kintore, Aberdeenshire|Kintore]]}}'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.539031|-2.461141}}|position=right|label='''[[Turriff]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.446|-2.788}}|position=right|label='''[[Huntly, Aberdeenshire|Huntly]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.667|-2.524}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff{{pad|2.7em}}]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.23392|-2.44890}}|position=left|label='''[[Kemnay, Aberdeenshire|Kemnay]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.671|-2.497}}|position=top|label='''{{pad|2.5em}}{{nowrap|[[Macduff, Aberdeenshire|Macduff]]}}'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|56.83|-02.46}}|position=right|label='''[[Laurencekirk]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.335|-2.320}}|position=top|label='''{{nowrap|[[Oldmeldrum]]}}'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.205283|-2.288903}}|position=left|label='''[[Blackburn, Aberdeenshire|Blackburn]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.032|-2.150}}|position=right|label='''[[Newtonhill]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.075|-2.781}}|position=top|label='''[[Aboyne]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.525|-2.001}}|position=left|label='''[[Mintlaw]]'''|label_size=}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.185|-1.8}}|position=left|label=''[[Aberdeen City council area#Settlements|{{nowrap|Aberdeen City}} council area]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|56.8|-2.9}}|position=left|label=''[[Angus (council area)#Settlements|Angus]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|56.83|-3.48}}|position=left|label=''[[Perth and Kinross#Settlements|Perth and Kinross]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.22|-3.48}}|position=left|label=''[[Highland (council area)#Settlements|Highland]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Aberdeenshire|coordinates = {{coord|57.4|-3.05}}|position=left|label=''[[Moray#Settlements|Moray]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}

}}

The largest settlements in Aberdeenshire are:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!rowspan=2 | Settlement
!colspan=2 style="background:#eaecf0ff; text-align: center;" | Population
|-
! style="background:#eaecf0ff;" | Mid-2010<ref>{{cite web |url=https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20210313211724/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/special-area-population-estimates/settlements-and-localities/mid-2010/list-of-tables |title= National Records of Scotland, Statistics and Data, Statistics, Statistics by Theme, Population, Population Estimates, Settlements and Localities, Archive, Mid-2010, List of Tables|access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>

! style="background:#eaecf0ff;" |({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Peterhead]]
|17,790
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Peterhead}}
|-
|[[Inverurie]]
|11,590
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Inverurie}}
|-
|[[Fraserburgh]]
|12,540
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Fraserburgh}}
|-
|[[Westhill, Aberdeenshire|Westhill]]
|11,220
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Westhill (Aberdeenshire)}}
|-
|[[Stonehaven]]
|10,820
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stonehaven}}
|-
|[[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]]
|9,910
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Ellon}}
|-
|[[Portlethen]]
|7,130
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Portlethen}}
|-
|[[Banchory]]
|7,030
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Banchory}}
|-
|[[Kintore, Aberdeenshire|Kintore]]
|4,180
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kintore}}
|-
|[[Turriff]]
|5,020
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Turriff}}
|-
|[[Huntly, Aberdeenshire|Huntly]]
|4,570
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Huntly}}
|-
|[[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]
|3,720
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Banff}}
|-
|[[Kemnay, Aberdeenshire|Kemnay]]
|3,710
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kemnay}}
|-
|[[Macduff, Aberdeenshire|Macduff]]
|3,910
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Macduff}}
|-
|[[Laurencekirk]]
|2,650
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Laurencekirk}}
|-
|[[Oldmeldrum]]
|2,990
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Oldmeldrum}}
|-
|[[Blackburn, Aberdeenshire|Blackburn]]
|2,720
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Blackburn (Aberdeenshire)}}
|-
|[[Newtonhill]]
|3,080
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Newtonhill}}
|-
|[[Aboyne]]
|2,440
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Aboyne}}
|-
|[[Mintlaw]]
|2,610
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Mintlaw}}
|-
|}

==Economy==
Aberdeenshire's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at £3,496M (2011), representing 5.2% of the Scottish total. Aberdeenshire's economy is closely linked to Aberdeen City's (GDP £7,906M), and in 2011, the region as a whole was calculated to contribute 16.8% of Scotland's GDP. Between 2012 and 2014, the combined Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City economic forecast GDP growth rate is 8.6%, the highest growth rate of any local council area in the UK and above the Scottish rate of 4.8%.<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012" />

A significant proportion of Aberdeenshire's working residents commute to Aberdeen City for work, varying from 11.5% from Fraserburgh to 65% from Westhill.

Average Gross Weekly Earnings (for full-time employees employed in workplaces in Aberdeenshire in 2011) are £572.60. This is lower than the Scottish average by £2.10 and a fall of 2.6% on the 2010 figure. The average gross weekly pay of people resident in Aberdeenshire is much higher, at £741.90, as many people commute out
of Aberdeenshire, principally into Aberdeen City.<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012" />

Total employment (excluding farm data) in Aberdeenshire is estimated at 93,700 employees (Business Register and
Employment Survey 2009). The majority of employees work within the service sector, predominantly in public administration, education and health. Almost 19% of employment is within the public sector. Aberdeenshire's economy remains closely linked to Aberdeen City's and the [[North Sea oil]] industry, with many employees in oil-related jobs.

The average monthly unemployment (claimant count) rate for Aberdeenshire in 2011 was 1.5%. This is lower than the average rate of Aberdeen City (2.3%), Scotland (4.2%) and the UK (3.8%).<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012" />

==Major industries==
[[File:Aberdeenshire blueberries.jpg|thumb|Blueberries grown in Aberdeenshire]]
* '''Energy''' – There are significant energy-related infrastructure, presence, and expertise in Aberdeenshire.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shepherd|first=Mike|title=Oil Strike North Sea: A first-hand history of North Sea oil.|publisher=Luath Press|year=2015}}</ref> Peterhead is an important centre for the energy industry. Peterhead Port includes an extensive new quay with an adjacent laydown area at Smith Quay, is a major support location for North Sea oil and gas exploration and production and the fast-growing global sub-sea sector. The Gas Terminal at St Fergus handles around 15% of the UK's natural gas requirements, and the Peterhead power station is looking to host Britain's first [[carbon capture and storage]] power generation project.<ref name="Aberdeenshire Profile 2012" /> There are numerous offshore [[wind turbine]]s near the coast.
* '''Fishing''' – Aberdeenshire is Scotland's foremost fishing area. In 2010, catches landed at Aberdeenshire's ports accounted for over half the total fish landings in Scotland and almost 45% in the UK. Along with Aberdeen City, Peterhead and Fraserburgh ports provide much employment in these sectors. The [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]]<ref name=EB/> is also rich in [[salmon]].
* '''Agriculture''' – Aberdeenshire is rich in arable land, with an estimated 9,000 people employed in the sector, and is best known for rearing livestock, mainly cattle. Sheep are important in the higher ground.<ref name=EB/>
* '''Tourism''' – this sector continues to grow, with a range of sights to be seen in the area. From the lively Cairngorm Mountain range to the bustling fishing ports on the northeast coast, Aberdeenshire samples a bit of everything. Aberdeenshire also has a rugged coastline and many sandy beaches and is a hot spot for tourist activity throughout the year. Almost 1.3 million tourists visited the region in 2011 – up 3% on the previous year.<ref name="AberdeenshireProfile2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile2012.pdf |title=Aberdeenshire Council – Profile 2012 |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221223911/http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/AberdeenshireProfile2012.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* '''Whisky distilling''' is still a practised art in the area.<ref name=EB/>

==Governance==
{{main|Aberdeenshire Council}}

==Notable features==
[[File:Aaythanestuarywterns.jpg|thumb|[[Ythan Estuary]] nature reserve, with tern colonies and dunes in background.]]
[[File:View NE from summit of B976 - geograph.org.uk - 443153.jpg|thumb|The B976 road near Gairnshiel]]
[[File:Old lime kiln at Badenyon.jpg|thumb|An old [[lime kiln]] at Badenyon]]

The following significant structures or places are within Aberdeenshire:

{{Main|Scheduled monuments in Aberdeenshire|List of Category A listed buildings in Aberdeenshire}}

*[[Balmoral Castle]], Scottish Highland residence of the British royal family.<ref name=EB/>
*[[Bennachie]]
*[[Burn O'Vat]]
*[[Cairness House]]
*[[Cairngorms National Park]]
*[[Corgarff Castle]]
*[[Crathes Castle]]
*[[Causey Mounth]], an ancient road
*[[Drum Castle]]
*[[Dunnottar Castle]]
*[[Fetteresso Castle]]
*[[Fowlsheugh]] Nature Reserve
*[[Haddo House]]
*[[Herscha Hill]]
*[[Huntly Castle]]
*[[Kildrummy Castle]]
*[[Loch of Strathbeg]]
*[[Lochnagar]]
*[[Monboddo House]]
*[[Muchalls Castle]]
*[[Pitfour estate]]
*[[Portlethen Moss]]
*[[Raedykes]] [[Roman Camp]]
*[[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]]
*[[River Don, Aberdeenshire|River Don]]
*[[Sands of Forvie]] Nature Reserve
*Slains Castles, [[Old Slains Castle|Old]] and [[New Slains Castle|New]]
*[[Stonehaven Tolbooth]]
*[[Ythan Estuary]] Nature Reserve[[File:River Dee near Braemar, Aberdeenshire.jpg|thumb|The Dee, Aberdeenshire's longest river]]

==Hydrology and climate==
[[File:Ben-macdui-from-carn-liath.jpg|thumb|Ben Macdui, the United Kingdom's second-highest mountain]]
There are numerous rivers and burns in Aberdeenshire, including [[Cowie Water]], [[Carron Water, Aberdeenshire|Carron Water]], [[Burn of Muchalls]], [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]], [[River Don, Aberdeenshire|River Don]], [[River Ury]], [[River Ythan]], [[Water of Feugh]], [[Burn of Myrehouse]], [[Laeca Burn]] and [[Luther Water]]. Numerous bays and estuaries are found along the seacoast of Aberdeenshire, including [[Banff Bay]], [[Ythan Estuary]], [[Stonehaven Bay]] and [[Thornyhive Bay]]. Aberdeenshire has a [[Oceanic climate|marine west coast climate]] on the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Aberdeenshire is in the [[rain shadow]] of the [[Grampian Mountains|Grampians]], therefore it has a generally dry climate for a maritime region, with portions of the coast receiving {{convert|25|in|cm}} of moisture annually.<ref name=EB/> Summers are mild, and winters are typically cold in Aberdeenshire; Coastal temperatures are moderated by the [[North Sea]] such that coastal areas are typically cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than inland locations. Coastal areas are also subject to [[haar (fog)|haar]], or coastal fog.

==Notable residents==
{{See also|List of Aberdonians}}
*[[John Skinner (poet)|John Skinner]], (1721–1807) author, poet and ecclesiastic.
*[[Hugh Mercer]], (1726–1777), born in the manse of Pitsligo Kirk, near [[Rosehearty]], brigadier general of the [[Continental Army]].<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[Alexander Garden (naturalist)|Alexander Garden]], (1730–1791), born in [[Birse]], was a naturalist and physician who moved to North America in 1754. The [[gardenia]] flower is named in his honour.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>
*[[John Kemp (educator)|John Kemp]], (1763–1812), born in Auchlossan, was a noted educator at [[Columbia University]] who is said to have influenced [[DeWitt Clinton]]'s opinions and policies.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
*[[George MacDonald]] (1824–1905), author, poet, and theologian born and raised in Huntly.
*[[Evelyn Glennie|Dame Evelyn Glennie]], born and raised in [[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]] on 19 July 1965, musician.
*[[Evan Duthie]], (born 2000), DJ and producer.
*[[Peter Nicol]], born in [[Inverurie]] on 5 April 1973, is a former professional squash player who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash.
*[[Peter Shepherd (British Army officer)|Peter Shepherd]], (1841–1879), Surgeon Major, [[Royal Army Medical Corps]]
*[[Johanna Basford]] (born 1983), illustrator and textile designer<ref name="HeraldScotland">{{cite web|title=Follow The Paper Trail|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12432352.Follow_the_paper_trail_Wallpaper_designer_Johanna_Basford_has_been_on_a_roll_since_setting_up_her_business_at_the_start_of_the_year__Cate_Devine_visits_her_remote_studio/|website=www.heraldscotland.com|date=July 2006 |publisher=Herald & Times Group|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="nationalgalleriesscotland">{{cite web|title=Rough Cut Nation (Exhibition Notes)|url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibitions/rough-cut-nation/the-artists|website=National Galleries Scotland|access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref>
*[[Iona Fyfe]] (born 1998), singer and musician.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Aberdeenshire}}
*[http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ Aberdeenshire Council]

{{Navboxes
|title = Aberdeenshire
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{{Aberdeenshire places|state=collapsed}}
{{Banff and Buchan, Aberdeenshire places|state=collapsed}}
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{{Formartine, Aberdeenshire places|state=collapsed}}
{{Garioch, Aberdeenshire places|state=collapsed}}
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{{Marr, Aberdeenshire places|state=collapsed}}
{{Schools in Aberdeenshire}}
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}}

{{Scotland subdivisions}}
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[[Category:Aberdeenshire| ]]
[[Category:Council areas of Scotland]]