The village of Maud, nestling quietly in a hollow surrounded by gold and green landscapes, could reasonable be described as the heart of Central Buchan. But the quietness of our villages and the comparatively empty roads deceive the casual visitor, for hidden behind this veil of tranquility is a wealth of history.

Stories of grand lairds and even grander estates wait to be discovered. There are churches, castles and cairns, ancient monuments, stone circles and standing stones scattered around this undulating land. The name Maud is said to mean "meeting place", and with the many castles and manor houses that surrounded Maud at one time this may well be true. The development of the livestock markets certainly made it a meeting place and no less than six roadways lead into the village.

Maud scarcely was a village initially. Just a small hamlet with a few thatched cottages. It was originally called Bank of Behitch, a somewhat strange name which reflected the hamlet's function. The cottages were situated at the side of a bank or raised piece of ground, and it was known to carters as a spot where they could unhitch their horses.

Carters were a welcome sight in rural areas in those far off days, for they were a link with the outside world and carried all manner of goods to and from the villages. Bank was part of the Auldmaud (Old Maud) estate owned by the John Gordon Charitable Trust.

The coming of the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1861 was the beginning of a new era, with the village the junction for trains to Fraserburgh in the north and Peterhead in the east. A new name was needed for such an important junction and the name Brucklay, after the nearby Brucklay Estate, was chosen but soon changed again to New Maud. The "New" was later dropped. By the end of the century the population had risen to 757, and today the number is again around the 750 mark.

Church
The Church stands in Bank Road and was opened on 23 June 1876. Of Gothic design, it cost £1,000 to build. A small Mission Church had previously been used. The Rev William Cowie was ordained in January 1878 and was instrumental in raising sufficient funds for a £2,500 manse to be built adjacent to the church in 1886. Full Parish status was granted on October 30th 1889.

Mr. Cowie ministered to the people of Maud for a total of thirty five years. Mabel Cowie was a daughter of the manse who became well known as a playwright under the nom de plume Lesley Storm. At the road junction by the gateway to the church stands the War Memorial. The Church Hall was built in 1967.

Hospital
Because of its central location Maud was chosen as the site for the Buchan Combination Poorhouse. This large Victorian building overlooks the village from the slope leading up from Bank Road. It opened in January 1869 and for many years housed the poor and unfortunate of the district. Completely modernised it is now a hospital for the elderly and has a very supportive League of Friends who, through popular fund raising events, provide the residents with additional items of comfort. The hospital is due for closure in 2009 and it's future as a listed building is uncertain although community groups have expressed an interest.

School
Maud School was opened on the 29th April 1896 replacing both Bank School for Boys, which still stands as a house at the corner of Bank Road opposite the church, and a Girls' School at Honeyneuk to the north-west of Maud.

The Boy's school at Bank had been erected in the early 19th century at a building cost of £30 for both the school and the schoolhouse. Today's school roll is around 80 but in earlier times reached 117. The School recently held centenary celebrations and many past and present pupils had a very enjoyable day.

Author and journalist Jack Webster, who has brought Maud to the attention of many through his books and films on television, was educated at the village school.

Railway Station
The Formartine & Buchan Railway ran through Maud to Fraserburgh and Peterhead and took its name from the two districts it passed through. Maud junction at one time carried six lanes of track. In its heyday there were cattle trains, fish trains, outgoing peat trains, incoming coal trains, and the all-important passenger trains.

People still have stories to tell of the Buchan Line and much has been written. The romantic days of steam are now but memories and the leisurely pace of the Buchan trains, on time or not, still hold a place in the hearts of Buchan folk.

Sadly the trains stopped running and the station closed in October 1979. The yard and the station buildings have since been renovated and the station building houses amongst other things a small railway museum. The station yard has picnic tables and car parking.

Business Life
Much of Maud's business life is service based, with a high commitment to agriculture. Tractors and agricultural machinery of all kinds are commonplace with machinery dealerships having depots with service workshops in the village. Chemical Spraying Contractor CSC also has a base. Aberdeenshire Council has an Area Office housing the Registrar.

Leisure
But Maud folk know how to enjoy themselves too. The village hall has been the focal point for local functions for many years. The notice board beside the Post Office and posters in our shop windows tell you what's on in the village summer and winter. The Station Hotel, famous as a meeting place for locals, offers a selection of bar meals in a friendly atmosphere.

Playing field and Play park
The sports field and children's play area are in the pleasure park on Deer Road (the B9029 leading westward towards New Deer)

Bowling and Croquet
Our Bowling Green is located in the pleasure park. The Green is open throughout the summer and visitors are welcome. The village also sports a croquet lawn in the pleasure park. The Club meets during the summer months and again visitors are welcome.

Walks
The Buchan Line Walkway along the route of the former railway line runs through the village, with the old station yard as an access point. This long distance footpath runs eastwards for some six miles (9.5km) to a little way beyond Mintlaw, and southwards for forty miles (60k) through
Auchnagatt and Ellon to Dyce on the outskirts of Aberdeen. Other walks around Maud and elsewhere in Central Buchan are mapped and described in the local Tourism Group's Walks Booklet.