Four north-east parks have been named as some of the best green spaces in the country.
Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded Haddo country park, near Ellon, Aden Country park, near Mintlaw, and Aberdeen’s Hazlehead and Duthie parks green flag status.
The accolade was given to 65 beauty spots across the country yesterday.
This is the first time that Hazlehead Park has landed the award, while Duthie Park has now been honoured for three years in a row.
Aberdeen City Council’s convener of communities, housing and infrastructure, Neil Cooney, said the accolade was a “testament to the hard work and dedication of our park staff”.
He added: “These parks are dear to the heart of Aberdonians and play an important role in attracting visitors to our city.”
The two country parks are both run by Aberdeenshire Council.
Aden is home to the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, the Hareshowe working farm, the North East Folklore Archive (NEFA) and ARC recording studio, while Haddo dates back to the late-18th century and is home to a mix of grassland, woods, lakes and ponds surrounding historic Haddo House.
A major restoration of its historic monuments was undertaken recently thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Ellon councillor Isobel Davidson – one of Haddo Country Park’s directors – said: “Obviously I am delighted that all the work we have put in has been recognised.
“There has been a huge amount of work to improve the park and encourage people to go and engage with the outdoors.
“It is a very popular park and the facilities are really good as well. Everyone is working together to improve it.”