Towards the end of the 1970s Westhill was flourishing.

Gordon District Council gave the go ahead for what was described in the Press as the first “factory” — a 20,000 square foot development from Ashdale Land and Property at Westhill Industrial Estate, built on speculation, and capable of being broken into units.

In 1981 Westhill Golf Club, formed in 1977, opened its spectacular hilltop clubhouse. At the time the club had around 600 members with membership fees of £25 for locals.

The picture above shows Eastside Drive and beyond in 1983.

In 1985 plans for a health centre went before the council. Grampian Health Board had picked a site on Westhill Drive to house dental services, a district nurse and midwife, as well as a social work office. A separate application was made for medical centre with six consulting rooms on a neighbouring spot.

By this point the population had reached 10,000.

In 1993 the £1.7 million Westhill Swimming Pool (below) opened, a joint venture between Westhill and District Swimming Pool Association, Gordon Leisure Projects Trust, and Gordon District Council. Two years in construction, the 25-metre pool was only the second in Scotland to feature a moveable floor, which improved disabled access. A public campaign, launched five years earlier, raised almost £60,000 towards it

In 1994 plans were lodged for 3,000 homes on seven sites ringing Westhill, a 10-15 year £240 million vision. Proposed locations include land north of the golf club and to the east of Lawsondale. The majority of homes were earmarked for the fields between A944 and B9119 – what would eventually become a zone for subsea companies.

Smaller developments continued to get the go ahead. Cala, for example, won approval for 81 homes at the Gullymoss area. Affordable housing became a feature. National housing agency Scottish Homes provided £279,000 to subsidise 14 three-bedroom houses and 8 two-bedroom houses, aimed at families, with a maximum price of £63,250.

For 2000-2016, click here.