Newmachar
| Newmachar | |
| Aberdeenshire, Banffshire | |
|---|---|
 Newmachar Church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NJ885195 |
| Location: | 57°16’1"N, 2°11’31"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 2,510 (2012[1]) |
| Postcode: | AB21 |
| Dialling code: | 01651 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Aberdeenshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Gordon |
Newmachar or New Machar is a village and parish in Aberdeenshire. Situated 10 miles to the north-west of Aberdeen, the settlement has an estimated population of 2,510. The parish includes Kinmundy and Straloch, the latter of which additionally forms a detached part of Banffshire.
Overview
The name originates from the original parish created in 1609, from part of the parish of St Machar's Cathedral. The name refers specifically to the village, originally known as Summerhill, with the surrounding parish being correctly known as New Machar. In 1928, the name Summerhill was changed to Newmachar, which was also the name of the railway station serving the village. The railway station, on the Formartine and Buchan Railway, closed in 1965.[2]
The village contains two shops, two pubs, a baker, a chip-shop, a pharmacy and a primary school.
The local Newmachar Golf Club located just outside the village is noted for being the official golf course of Paul Lawrie at the time he won the 1999 British Open.[3] It was also the venue of a hole in one in which the winner became a professional with a handicap of 24. This was because, to claim the 15k prize, he had to be a pro at the sport.
The village was also the home to former Aberdeen F.C. player Neil Simpson who was part of the Aberdeen team which won the 1983 Cup Winner's Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson.[4]
The village is also host to Newmachar United F.C., who are affiliated with the Scottish Junior Football Association.
The Newmachar Hotel has been named "Evening Express Pub Of The Year 2010". The Newmachar Hotel retained the title as Aberdeen's Best Pub, having won the last time the competition ran in 1993.
References
- ↑ "Aberdeenshire Settlements - Population 2012". nationalrecordsofscotland.gov.uk. http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/population/AberdeenshireSettlementsPopulation2012.pdf. Retrieved 2012.
- ↑ "Formatine and Buchan Railway". www.railbrit.co.uk. http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Formartine_and_Buchan_Railway/index.php.
- ↑ Newmachar Golf Club
- ↑ "UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - 1982/3". en.archive.uefa.com. http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season=1982/intro.html.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Newmachar) |
