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The Friends Gift Shop

Handcrafted local treasures in a scenic country park courtyard.

4.5

A charming independent gift shop nestled within the scenic grounds of Aden Country Park near Peterhead. The shop specializes in locally made arts and crafts, including handcrafted cards, scarves, jewelry, and bags, alongside children's toys, books, postcards, and Aden souvenirs. Open daily except Thursdays, it offers a curated selection of fair-priced items perfect for finding unique, locally-sourced gifts in a tranquil parkland setting.

A brief summary to The Friends Gift Shop

  • Aden Country Pk, Peterhead, Old Deer, AB42 5FQ, GB
  • +441771624268
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-3 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-3 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-3 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-3 pm
  • Friday 10 am-3 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-3 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-3 pm

Local tips

  • The shop closes on Thursdays, so plan your visit for any other day of the week. Hours are 10:00–15:00 weekdays and 11:00–15:00 weekends.
  • Combine your visit with a walk around Aden Country Park's grounds, gardens, and heritage buildings to make a full afternoon outing.
  • Look for one-of-a-kind handmade items from local artisans—each visit typically reveals different crafted pieces as stock rotates.
  • Purchase Aden-branded souvenirs and postcards as authentic mementos that support the park directly.
  • Arrive early in the afternoon, as the shop closes at 15:00 and may have limited stock on quieter days.
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Discover more about The Friends Gift Shop

A Local Treasure in Parkland Surroundings

The Friends Gift Shop occupies a welcoming corner of Aden Country Park's courtyard, one of Aberdeenshire's most valued green spaces. The shop's location within this historic estate creates an intimate shopping experience where visitors can browse thoughtfully curated goods while surrounded by the park's natural beauty. The setting itself—a working country estate with gardens, woodland walks, and heritage buildings—makes the gift shop a natural stopping point for those exploring the wider grounds.

Locally Crafted Goods and Community Connection

The shop's inventory reflects a strong commitment to supporting local artisans and makers. Handcrafted items dominate the selection, including bespoke cards, hand-knitted scarves, artisan jewelry, and sewn bags created by regional craftspeople. This emphasis on local production means that each purchase directly supports Aberdeenshire's creative community. Alongside these handmade pieces, the shop stocks children's toys, books, and postcards, as well as exclusive Aden Country Park branded souvenirs that serve as meaningful mementos of a visit to the estate.

Fair Pricing and Accessible Shopping

One of the shop's defining characteristics is its commitment to fair pricing. Rather than inflating costs simply because of the park location, the Friends Gift Shop maintains reasonable prices that reflect the genuine value of its goods. This approach makes it accessible to families and casual visitors while still rewarding the artisans whose work fills the shelves. The shop's modest scale and personal touch create an atmosphere far removed from mass-market retail.

Seasonal Hours and Planning Your Visit

The shop operates with seasonal hours designed to align with visitor patterns at Aden Country Park. It opens daily from 10:00 to 15:00 Monday through Friday, with slightly extended hours on weekends (11:00–15:00 Saturday and Sunday). Notably, the shop closes on Thursdays, so planning ahead is advisable if you wish to visit. These limited hours reflect the shop's volunteer-run or small-staff operation, typical of community-focused retail in rural Scotland.

Part of the Aden Country Park Experience

Visiting the gift shop is best understood as one element of a broader Aden Country Park experience. The park itself encompasses historic buildings, walking trails, and landscaped grounds that reward exploration. The gift shop serves both as a practical retail space and as a cultural anchor—a place where visitors can support local makers while taking home something genuinely connected to the region. Its presence enhances the park's appeal as a destination rather than merely a passing attraction.

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