Aberdeenshire Council will officially open a regenerated botanical garden at Aden Country Park in Mintlaw on Friday March 13.

The renovation to the existing remains of a Victorian arboretum is the first phase of a £100,000 project undertaken by the council's Transportation and Infrastructure Service to develop and establish themed tree collections in the park.

Aberdeenshire Provost William Howatson will plant a tree to mark the occasion at the site of the original Victorian arboretum that was housed in the park in the 19th century.

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Provost Howatson said: "The work that has been carried out at Aden Country Park and the attention to detail in the selection of trees that pay tribute to the historical collection is to be commended.

"It will create a site of scientific interest and also encourage more people to visit and enjoy the variety of wildlife in the park's environment."

The new arboretum is part of a five-year project that was approved at Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee in 2007; two further phases will now be developed on adjacent areas and will be completed by 2012.

New footpaths, seating areas, additional signage, as well as many varieties of tree (labelled for ease of identification) have been installed and it is hoped will boost tourism and aid scientific research.

The purpose of the arboretum is to re-establish some of the initial collection of trees from the 19th century and retain the 'heritage' of Aden Park whilst also providing new 21st century species.

(GK/JM)