There is considerable evidence of prehistoric activity in the nearby area, most notably in the form of the Catto Long Barrow and numerous tumuli.

The records of the Parliament of Scotland shows an act was passed in November 1641 to allow the erection of a kirk at Longside.
A church had previously been sited in Longside dating back to 1620.

Almost a century later following the Penal Act of 1746, the Episcopal Church at Longside was burnt down by the Hanoverians.
Rev John Skinner of Longside spent six months in prison after evading a strict Penal Act of 1748 which decreed that Episcopalian Ministers could only preach to his own family.
Skinner had tried to circumvent the Act by preaching from his cottage window to a congregation outside.
Skinner is buried in the parish churchyard and his grave is marked by a monument.

The grave of Jamie Fleeman (1713–1778) who was better known as 'the Laird of Udny's Fool' is also at Longside and a monument to mark his grave was erected in 1861.
He was born in Longside and died at nearby Kinmundy.
His notoriety in the area is best exampled by his mention in the New Statistical Account of Scotland 1845, where under Section II, eminent characters, it states:
"No offence is meant by introducing here the name of an individual who had a county (if not a national) reputation, and whose printed memorabilia have gone through several editions.
This was Jamie Fleeman (or Fleeming), "the Laird of Udny's fool," who flourished here about the middle of last century.
His name appears frequently in the session's list of paupers and his sayings and doings have been a theme of wonderment to a generation or two."

The village was extended by the Laird of Pitfour, James Ferguson (the Member) in around 1801 as part of the planned villages development in the area.

The village population in 1831 was recorded as 316.
It steadily increased to 447 in 1861 with a further increase to 584 ten years later in 1871.
By 1881, the population had dropped back to 474.

In 1882, there were two schools recorded at Longside.
The first was just given as Longside and it had accommodation for 135 with an average attendance figure of 107.
This attracted a government grant of £93 2s.
There is also a listing for Longside girls' school.
The figures quoted for this are accommodation 120; average attendance 96 and the grant was £84.

Longside railway station was part of the rail link between Mintlaw and Peterhead which was opened to both freight and passengers on 3 July 1862.
It was a station on the Formartine and Buchan Railway until the service was terminated as part of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.
The platform can still be seen situated adjacent to the golf course.
There is considerable evidence of prehistoric activity in the nearby area, most notably in the form of the Catto Long Barrow and numerous tumuli.
The records of the Parliament of Scotland shows an act was passed in November 1641 to allow the erection of a kirk at Longside. A church had previously been sited in Longside dating back to 1620.
Almost a century later following the Penal Act of 1746, the Episcopal Church at Longside was burnt down by the Hanoverians. Rev John Skinner of Longside spent six months in prison after evading a strict Penal Act of 1748 which decreed that Episcopalian Ministers could only preach to his own family. Skinner had tried to circumvent the Act by preaching from his cottage window to a congregation outside. Skinner is buried in the parish churchyard and his grave is marked by a monument.
The grave of Jamie Fleeman (1713–1778) who was better known as 'the Laird of Udny's Fool' is also at Longside and a monument to mark his grave was erected in 1861. He was born in Longside and died at nearby Kinmundy. His notoriety in the area is best exampled by his mention in the New Statistical Account of Scotland 1845, where under Section II, eminent characters, it states:
"No offence is meant by introducing here the name of an individual who had a county (if not a national) reputation, and whose printed memorabilia have gone through several editions. This was Jamie Fleeman (or Fleeming), "the Laird of Udny's fool," who flourished here about the middle of last century. His name appears frequently in the session's list of paupers and his sayings and doings have been a theme of wonderment to a generation or two."
The village was extended by the Laird of Pitfour, James Ferguson (the Member) in around 1801 as part of the planned villages development in the area.
The village population in 1831 was recorded as 316. It steadily increased to 447 in 1861 with a further increase to 584 ten years later in 1871. By 1881, the population had dropped back to 474.
In 1882, there were two schools recorded at Longside. The first was just given as Longside and it had accommodation for 135 with an average attendance figure of 107. This attracted a government grant of £93 2s. There is also a listing for Longside girls' school. The figures quoted for this are accommodation 120; average attendance 96 and the grant was £84.
Longside railway station was part of the rail link between Mintlaw and Peterhead which was opened to both freight and passengers on 3 July 1862. It was a station on the Formartine and Buchan Railway until the service was terminated as part of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. The platform can still be seen situated adjacent to the golf course.
Longside