Balgownie Scottish Women’s Rural Institute (SWRI)
Gordon Barracks
The SWRI started in 1965, meeting in Scotstown Primary School, before moving to their present venue of Scotstown Community Centre the following year.
In the early 1930s, the building of a military barracks commenced on the east side of Ellon Road, practically opposite its junction with Balgownie Crescent. This complex was intended to accommodate a battalion strength of 1,000 men and provide all of their requirements such as training, food and medical supplies. Houses were also provided for the families of the married ranks. These barracks were to replace Castlehill Barracks in Aberdeen which were first converted into flats and then eventually demolished.
Around this time, the area was rapidly increasing and the population growing as the new housing developments emerged. It was originally believed that the group would have limited success given the proximity to the City of Aberdeen, but this has since been proven otherwise.
During the period since its founding to 2011, membership of the group has risen to an excess of 50 ladies attending the regular monthly meetings held between September and June. The initial interest was from ladies with a country background who were moving to the area with their families, but the group also welcomed a number of “townspeople” who were moving out of the city to the suburbs. Moira Massie, Isobel Butler and Doreen Boyne
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club “The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club” founded in 1780 is the sixth oldest golf club in existence, originally known as “the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen”, it was renamed in 1815 on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo. Originally played on the Queen’s Links until 1888, a private course was procured at Balgownie. This club became the first to introduce the five minute rule for finding lost balls in 1783.
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Castlehill to their new quarters. The Gordon Barracks became well known to many young men who passed through the gates to life in military service. During World War II, temporary huts were erected in the barracks to meet the increased demands of war. Sadly, in April 1943, the barracks were a target for enemy bombs and received direct hits killing 37 soldiers and wounding 200. This coincided with an intense air raid of Aberdeen where 98 people lost their lives.
The new barracks at Bridge of Don were named Gordon Barracks and in August 1953, the Gordon Highlanders, led by their pipes and drums and with colours flying, marched along King Street from
Major national and international events have been played on the course, attracting many of the world’s most famous and finest players.
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