Mystery remains over the future of Archaeolink site

The site of a former north-east history centre in Oyne could finally see a redevelopment plan come forward some 12 years after it closed its doors to the public.

Archaeolink Prehistory Park, near Oyne, was put up for sale, through Ryden, by Aberdeenshire Council in July of 2015 having been closed in 2011 when the local authority withdrew all funding for it, having failed to attract the visitor numbers required to make it sustainable.

Hailed as a flagship attraction when it was opened in 1997 by Tony Robinson (Time Team), while proving a popular destination, it never achieved the levels of tourist draw required to sustain it.

Marketing information from Ryden indicated that the site would be split into two separate lots with a combined area of 5.35 hectares (13.21 acres): "The former visitor centre would lend itself well to a multitude of uses and was is identified back in the Proposed 2016 Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan as an opportunity site for sensitive redevelopment of up to 10 homes while the former Archaeolink building is safeguarded for employment purposes."

It has now been confirmed that members of the Garioch Area committee approved the sale of the site to an undisclosed buyer during closed door session on Tuesday, with neither party as yet disclosing the new owners details.

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