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Archaeolink is a new visitor attraction at Oyne, Insch, at the foot of Bennachie.  Using a combination of audience participation and new technology, it takes visitors back in time to meet their Scottish ancestors. From an English visitor's point of view, we found it the most entertaining and value for money experience that we have had for a long time.

The exhibit is housed partly inside a purpose built building and partly outside.  The first thing to do after paying an extremely modest entry fee  is to make a note of the day's events on the whiteboard.  If you miss these, you miss the best that the centre has to offer.  Walking past the gift shop to your right, a display with 3D models takes you through the different eras of life in the north east of Scotland. A circular, almost 3D cinema, reminiscent of the Planetarium in London is a good place to continue your tour, but do check times. Here, via the film and special effects, you will be introduced to what the exhibition is about and understand something of the region's Celtic and Pictish past.

Taking the right hand exit out of the cinema, a series of displays with audio narratives explain familiar Grampian features like standing stone circles and sacred wells through myth and legend.

Just outside the building is a paved terrace.  Here, an audience, including spellbound youngsters encountered a Roman soldier who talked with these people from the future and shared aspects of this uniform, weapons and life.  The kids loved trying on his helmet, feeling the weight of the different swords and shield and suggesting   blood-thirsty fighting strategies;  'stab him in the ghoulies' is not a a term commonly encountered at military meetings. It was all presented in character and from a Roman soldier's point of view.

A Scottish resident from the iron age next gave an interactive guided tour of the area.  Again, staying in character, and subjected to a fair amount of good-humoured, even cheeky banter from his 'audience', he described how people lived, the tools they used, what they believed, the rituals of stone circles and the role played by shamen. Life-size models of huts, an  iron age farm, workshop, and Roman marching camp add visual realism.  Don't miss the guided walk or you'll miss the highlight of your visit.

There are loads of other things to see and do.  There's an activity room for children, many of whom had blue painted faces and resembled tiny Celts.  A whole crowd of five year olds were enjoying a birthday meal in the cafe, complete with stone-age chips and jellies.   We later saw them playing statues in the stone circle accompanied by strange characters from the past.  It's certainly a novel way to celebrate a birthday.

A prehistoric house foundation  and early settlement can be viewed by a short but steep walk up the hill. Paths circum-navigate labelled vegetation common to the area. It's worth making an effort to get to the top, either by the steep direct route or by the slightly longer but easier path.  The views are superb. 

If you get time, there are touch screen computers for finding out more, which we didn't use because we ran out of time.  But, we will be back.  There is a programme of events throughout the year. Sunday the 29th of July is a Roman/Celtic Day with hand combat displays, weapon demonstrations and marching, but something different is presented each month.  Find out more by calling 01468 851 500 or by visiting their website at http://www.archaeolink.co.uk

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