On the third Saturday of June, Oldmeldrum is host to the popular "Meldrum Sports," which features highland games, highland dancing, piping, five-a-side football, displays, stalls, and a beer tent. The Sports were first held in 1930, when a group of residents got together to raise funds to provide cocoa to the local children. Over the years thousands of pounds have been donated to local causes and charities. There has also been an Arts and Music Festival in Oldmeldrum; this has been held in March 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 by the Rotary Club to promote local singers, musicians, artists, and photographers. Oldmeldrum has a primary school and a secondary school, the Meldrum Academy, which also includes the local library. A skatepark was built in June 2009 within Oldmeldrum Pleasure Park, a community park to the east of the main Banff to Aberdeen Road.
Landmarks
The remains of a prehistoric hill fort are at Barra Hill, south of Oldmeldrum; the hill fort was excavated by Murray Cook of Rampart Scotland http://www.rampartscotland.co.uk/. Results indicated that it has had at least three phases of fortification: before 500 BC, after 500 BC and again by the Picts around AD 400. This project formed part of the Hill forts of Strathdon Project Another ancient site is Sheldon Stone Circle which is about to the south-east of Oldmedrum. To the north of the village is Meldrum House, a mansion and castle built in the 13th century, and which is now a hotel and golf course. It is said to be haunted by a 'White Lady'. Early in the morning of Christmas Day 1617, while the laird of Meldrum was away hunting with his hawks, his servant John Gordon abducted Marjorie Gordon daughter of Grissell Steuart, Lady Meldrum, from the house. To the east of the village is the Oldmeldrum Golf Club. Founded in 1885, its 14th fairway contains a rock where John Comyn, Earl of Buchan is said to have lain and lamented his loss to Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Barra. In 2006, a 72-year-old golfer died in a bunker on the first hole. Also to the east of Oldmeldrum is the ruined Tolquhon Castle which is noted for its highly ornamented gatehouse. The castle was built between 1584 and 1589 and is now maintained by Historic Scotland; the castle is open to the public during the summer months. Oldmeldrum is home to one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland, Glen Garioch, which was built in 1797. Glen Garioch's visitor centre is open year-round and includes tours of the working distillery. Haddo House, a stately home run by the National Trust for Scotland, is north-east of Oldmeldrum. From Oldmeldrum, there are good views of nearby Bennachie.
Transport
The A947 road from Aberdeen to Banff runs through the centre of the village. Old Meldrum railway station served Oldmeldrum on a line from Inverurie through Lethenty and Lochter until 1965.
