Old Deer's past contains a wealth of religious and domestic hisitory which proved significant to the development of the whole North East of Scotland.

It is said the very beauty of the vale of Deer led to Columba and his nephew Drostan choosing it in the 6th century as the site for their monastery, at some time between 563 AD and 597 AD. The settlement grew around the Church and today's population is in the region of 200. The village has been a designated conservation area since 1974 and many of the houses are listed buildings within category B and category C.

Deer has long been the common spelling but Deir prevails in the oldest writing.
One tradition has the name coming from De a'r', a contraction of De adhra - the worship of Good.

Dair or Daire in old Gaelic and Irish is an oak, and since the area was covered in oak forests in the 6th century, the name may simply mean Oakwood.
A much more romantic legend, and the one most people prefer to accept, has it deriving from Deira, Gaelic for "tears", telling how Columba observed a tear on the cheek of his nephew when he took his leave and declared "This shall be known as the place of tears" - that is Deir.

St Drostan's Home

St Drostan's Home is a single storey complex built in 1975. It provides accommodation for the elderly in comfortable pleasant surroundings and is fully equipped to meet modern standards of care.

On the street side of the site stood the original Parish Poor House built in 1851. This later became an Elderly Folk's Home. The original building was demolished once the new complex opened in 1975.

Schools

The original parish school was opened in the late-1700's and stood in Aden's lower gardens close by the river. A larger school was built near the Church in the early-1800's. The large building towards the western boundary of the village was a still later school. This provided both primary and secondary education, but sadly this too is now closed. Village children are now educated in nearby Stuartfield.

Playing Field

Our Children's Playing Field lies behind the Kemp Hall in the main street. This forms part of the glebe land belonging to the Church.

Hostelry

Aden Arms Hotel, opened in 1891, is prominent in the middle of the village. The hotel provides accommodation and bar meals.

It also has a Leisure Centre which is open to the public.

On the A950 near the old Abbey is Saplinbrae House Hotel.This was formerly the dower house of Pitfour Estate, home of the dowager Ladies Pitfour. Set in picturesque surroundings, the hotel offers accommodation with private facilities, and both restaurant and bar meals.

Fishing on Pitfour Lake is available.

Industry

Old Deer is home to Frayco Light Engineering Works, and Aden Woollen Mill lies off Netheraden Road between Old Deer and Mintlaw.