Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Westhill
Aberdeenshire
Westhill shopping mall
Location
Grid reference:	NJ828070
Location:	57°9’14"N, 2°17’2"W
Data
Population:	10,392  (2007)
Post town:	Westhill
Postcode:	AB32
Dialling code:	01224
Local Government
Council:	Aberdeenshire
Parliamentary constituency:	W. Aberdeenshire & Kincardine

Westhill is a new town in Aberdeenshire, approximately seven miles west of the city of Aberdeen.

Origin

The creation of Westhill just outside Aberdeen was the idea of local solicitor Ronald Fraser Dean in 1963. With the backing of Aberdeen District Council, the Secretary of State for Scotland and supported financially by Ashdale Land and Property Company Ltd., the new settlement of Westhill was created upon old farming land. Since construction of the first houses in 1968, Westhill has undergone a gradual expansion, much of which is tied to the oil and gas economy. In 2007/8 a major expansion of the industrial estate brought several thousand workers to the area. Most of these are in specialist sub-sea engineering oil service companies, making Westhill a world centre in sub-sea engineering. The town is also the headquarters of the Aberdeen Mountain Rescue.

The name Westhill was created in 1859 when John Anderson from Strichen bought the adjoining small estates of Wester Kinmundy and Blackhills. Both of these names were very old, dating back to at least the 16th Century, but Anderson seems not to have liked them. He therefore created the name Westhill from the other two names. This is recorded in the Register of Sasines December 2, 1859.

Wester Kinmundy and Blackhills were established either side of a geographical area known as 'The Clash'. This was a marshy bog, historically listed as being sited between Brodiach/Borrowstone area and Kirkton of Skene.

Amenities

Retail

Westhill has developed a large range of retail outlets. Westhill contains a small Shopping Centre, which contains a wide range of shops. Many supermarkets have opened in Westhill, including Tesco, Costco, Aldi, The Cooperative and Marks and Spencer. There are two fuelling stations in Westhill, one owned by Tesco and one serviced by BP.

Food

Westhill hosts a wide range of food outlets and restaurants. The Holiday Inn provides two themed restaurants, namely an Italian and a Lounge. There is also a Premier Inn in Westhill and situated next to it is The Shepherd's Rest, which serves pub-style food. The Broadstraik Inn is a traditional pub which also serves meals, and there is a cafe, called Circles, situated at the Westhill Shopping Centre. Yan is a Chinese/Thai restaurant located very close to the Police Station, in a small retail outlet, and Lasan, an Indian restaurant, is located near to Aldi.

Sport

Westhill caters for a wide variety of sporting activities. Westhill Golf Course provides 18 holes throughout the golfing calendar; Lawsondale Playing Fields provide pitches for Football, Rugby, Hockey matches amongst other sport; Two Tennis courts; An outdoor Bowls Centre. The Ashdale Hall provides sporting opportunities for all age groups. A swimming pool is located just beside the Academy and provides tuition in swimming for all ages, sessions for family and serious swimming and a party service for birthdays.

Youth

Westhill contains many youth orientated groups, which include: the Scout hut on Old Skene Road; the Boy's Brigade (held every week in Westhill Academy), the Air Training Corps squadron on Brodiach Road; Script, Screen to Stage (established approximately 2005), an acting and filming group that normally takes place at Westdyke Leisure Centre; And Youth clubs and other activities at the community centre, situated within the Academy.

Westhill also contains Lawsondale Playing Fields, and every Saturday of the school calendar many school football matches are played there. The Ashdale Hall is used for indoor sporting events such as Bowling and many types of martial arts. Westhill Golf Course also caters for the youthful population; Every Monday evening is usually set aside specifically for under 16's to book times.

Transport

Road

The A944 runs straight through Westhill, and this connects Westhill with Kingswells and Aberdeen to the east, and as far as Mossat to the west. The B9119 branches off from the A944 just before Westhill and this route continues on towards Echt, eventually connecting to the A93.

Outside links

• Westhill & District Residents Association Website
• Scottish Episcopal Church congregation, Trinity Church, Westhill
• Westhill Baptist Church, Westhill
• Westhill Marketing, Westhill
• Skene Heritage Society