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 Oldmeldrum Library |
Oldmeldrum lies on rising ground about five miles north east of Inverurie. The town is very old; the Earl of Buchan's army is known to have been housed in Old Meldrum at Christmas 1307 shortly before their defeat by Robert the Bruce.
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These days the most obvious sign of the town's age is Morris's Hotel, just downhill from the main square. The sign outside says it opened in 1673. Oldmeldrum itself is built mostly of an imposing grey stone and the square is in the shadow of the imposing and very attractive town library, presumably once the town hall.
 Meldrum House and Golf Club |
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Around this main square lies a collection of attractive olde world shops, plus an unusual and almost "Olde world" petrol station, but that somehow doesn't sound quite right. Think of the days when AA patrolmen rode motorcycles with sidecars and saluted members.
Just to the north of the town is Meldrum House, now a hotel and golf club. The Meldrum family probably built a castle here in about 1236. It was converted over time into a larger castle and then a mansion. Meldrum House's most long standing resident is said to be the ghost of a lady in green, who may or may not be the same ghost as the lady in white who appears during thunderstorms and on one occasion kissed a surprised guest. But why the name of Meldrum should have turned into Oldmeldrum remains unclear.
Coming back into Oldmeldrum from Meldrum House, the first building you encounter is the church of St Matthew and St George. This was built in 1863 and has an attractive octagonal spire placed alongside the nave and chancel.
If you are sharp-eyed as you approach the centre of Oldmeldrum from the church, you will spot a building that looks like a large four story bonded warehouse hidden away down a side street. It turns out that this is indeed a bonded warehouse, and part of the Glen Garioch distillery. The distillery, pronounced "Glen Geery" can trace its origins back to 1797. The product is available as a single malt, and since 1970 it has been owned by Morrison Bowmore, placing it in the same group that produces Bowmore on Islay.
