Westhill

Articleissues
cleanup=February 2008
OR=February 2008
tone=February 2008
unreferenced=December 2007

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Westhill
gaelic_name=
population= 10,000 (approx)
os_grid_reference=
map_type=Scotland
unitary_scotland= Aberdeenshire
lieutenancy_scotland= Aberdeenshire
constituency_westminster=
constituency_scottish_parliament=
latitude=
longitude=
post_town= WESTHILL
postcode_district = AB32
postcode_area= AB
dial_code= 01224

Westhill is a town in Aberdeenshire, in the parish of Skene, directly west of Aberdeen (of which it is sometimes considered to be a suburb). It is connected to the city via the A944 road. It is also near Skene, and boasts a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Origin

The creation of Westhill on the edge of the city of Aberdeen was the idea of Aberdeen solicitor Ronald Fraser Dean in 1963 [http://web.archive.org/web/20010507193423/www.airnautic.com/westhill/westhill_past.htm] . With the backing of the former Aberdeen District Council (see Aberdeen City Council), the Secretary of State for Scotland and supported financially by Ashdale Land and Property Company Ltd., the new satellite town of Westhill was created. Since construction of the first houses in 1968, Westhill has undergone rapid expansion, much of which is tied to the North East's oil and gas economy.

The name Westhill came from two main farming areas, Western Kinmundy and Blackhills, thus West-Hill.Fact|date=October 2008

Growth of the town

Major housing expansions are under way at Elrick and west of Westhill [http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/Appendix1-Brieftext.pdf] [http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/devbriefs/DEVELOPMENTBRIEF7.POSTCLLRSALUJAAGREEMENT.pdf] . The business park is also growing with many companies moving from Aberdeen.Fact|date=October 2008

Amenities

The town has developed many community amenities including a shopping centre, schools, churches, park and golf course. The Westhill Industrial Estate, Westhill Business Park and most recent Arnhall Business Park have a diverse range of occupiers with a mix of industrial, office, retail, wholesale and leisure developments. [http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/westhill_profile2007.pdf] . Stores such as Tesco, Costco, Aldi which is a stepbrother of Lidl and Marks and Spencer have opened here. Westhill's two hotel's are Holiday Inn and Premier Inn. Westhill's Restaurants are The Shepherd's Rest located beside the Premier Inn, Yan, a Chinese and thai restaurant. Westhill's Catering and takeaway shops are Subway, two Chinese takeways and one Indian takeaway and the local favourite Lows chipper. Also recently added is an Italian delicatessen; next door to this will soon be Westhill's first Pizza place.Fact|date=October 2008

Religion

Westhill has at least four active church congregations. Trinity Church is an ecumenical project involving the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, evangelical services are also held by the Westhill Baptist Church located at the Westdyke Leisure Centre. Westhill has a local gala which is held at the town's Ashdale Hall on the first Saturday of June every year.

The Headquarters of the Aberdeen Mountain Rescue [http://www.amrt.org.uk/] are located just behind the BP service station.

Size of Westhill

The town of Westhill covers the area that was the Western Kinmundy and Blackhills Farming areas. Small farm houses and a barn from that period still exist on the outskirts of Westhill in a somewhat dilapidated state.

Demographics

*Population 2007 = 10,150 (approx.) [http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/statistics/area/westhill_profile2007.pdf ]
*Forecast 2011 = 10,204

External links

* [http://www.westhill.org.uk/ Westhill & District Residents Association Website]
* [http://www.westhill-episcopal.org Scottish Episcopal Church congregation] , Trinity Church, Westhill
* [http://www.westhillbaptist.co.uk Westhill Baptist Church] , Westhill
* [http://www.westhillmarketing.co.uk Westhill Marketing] , Westhill