From angling to walking, Tarves enjoys a vast choice in recreation.

It even boasts two golf clubs, although they have one minor problem - they don't have a course to play on.

But that isn't a serious difficulty for the golfers and all other sports enthusiasts have only to drive a few miles to enjoy some of the best facilities available anywhere in Scotland.

In the village itself there is a bowling green; an all-weather floodlit court which is used for a variety of formal, and informal, sports and children's games; and two halls (one of which has a full stage with sound and lighting equipment) used for a variety of sports and leisure activities.

Nearby, in Ellon to the east, there is an indoor swimming pool and The Meadows Sports Centre. To the west at Inverurie there is swimming and a large indoor sports and leisure complex. At Haddo just a couple of miles from Tarves there is a country park which is a favourite spot for nature lovers, bird spotters, walkers and children. Haddo also is home to Haddo Arts, which mounts a variety of arts events from professional opera to children's plays. It has an international reputation.

The National Trust have Haddo House, with its treasures for the nation and nearby is also Pitmedden House and Gardens 3 miles south with beautiful Fyvie Castle 6 miles north.