Newmachar
| Newmachar | |
|---|---|
 Newmachar
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| Newmachar shown within Aberdeenshire | |
| Population | 2,510 (2012) |
| OS grid reference | NJ 885195 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Aberdeen |
| Postcode district | AB21 |
| Dialling code | 01651 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Newmachar is a village in the north-east of Scotland located within the Aberdeenshire local authority. Situated 10 miles to the north-west of Aberdeen, the settlement has an estimated population of 2,510.
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.
During World War 2, Winston Churchill initiated the forming of a British resistance force called Auxiliary Units. These units were put together in top secret, and were selected from areas that could be used to benefit from guerilla warfare. Typically, these units (called patrols) were made up from farmers, gamekeepers and estate workers. Newmachar had one of these patrols that were tasked with destroying the main railways to Inverness, and the Buchan line to Fraserburgh and Peterhead, also RAF Dyce and bridges over the River Don.
Research by C.A.R.T [1] has revealed the patrol members and also the location of the Operational Base. The Operational Base was built underground to house up to 8 patrol members who, when the Invasion came would go into hiding for 7–14 days before coming out at night to attack "targets of opportunity", including assassinations of key individuals (both local and enemy personnel). Aux unit members had a life expectancy of up to 2 weeks after an invasion. All the members had to sign the official secrets act, and were trained at Blairmore House near Huntly. Auxiliary units were well armed with the latest weapons and conventional and booby trap explosives.
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. 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.
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