Hillhead Student Village

Summary

Hillhead Student Village (formerly Hillhead Halls of Residence) is a group of buildings that provide accommodation for students at the University of Aberdeen.[1]

The central building in 2009

History edit

Hillhead Halls was built in response to the post-war expansion of the university.[2] The first phase of the Hillhead Halls of Residence was opened in 1968 and as a result this was the first year that the university could offer accommodation to every female applicant and a majority of male applicants. The previous year, five out of six applicants were refused. The first blocks to open were Adam-Smith House, Fyfe House, and Wavell House. When combined with the existing Crombie, Johnston, and Dunbar halls, the university had a total of 1168 places available.[3][4]

Hillhead has since been expanded with the newest accommodation block, New Carnegie Court, opened in 2008.[1]

Location edit

Hillhead Student Village is situated beside the River Don and Seaton Park. The Kings College campus is accessible by walking through Seaton Park.

Facilities edit

The central building at Hillhead contains a franchised Co-op Food shop,[5] a community kitchen, café bar, and an Amazon parcel locker. Next to the central building, there are bike storage sheds and a launderette. Free parking is also available.[6][7]

Transportation edit

Starting in late 1968, the number 20 bus service which ran from Marischal College to Old Aberdeen was extended to serve Hillhead.[8]

The number 20 bus route connects Hillhead to the city centre.[9] Route 13 also extends to Hillhead during evenings and weekends. The 9U runs between Hillhead, the Sir Duncan Rice Library, and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.[10][11] It was also historically connected by routes 21 and 60.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Hillhead Halls of Residence". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Aberdeen City Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plan" (PDF). Planning and Sustainable Development, Aberdeen City Council. 10 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Varsity halls breakthrough". Evening Express. 22 October 1968. p. 21. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. ^ "500 students move in". Evening Express. 7 October 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. ^ Briggs, Fiona. "The University of Aberdeen opens Co-op's second franchise store in Scotland". Retail Times. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Our Accommodation - Benefits of Staying with us". University of Aberdeen. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Accommodation - Frequently Asked Questions". University of Aberdeen. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  8. ^ "'Aberdeen buses could cost £50,000'-convener". The Press and Journal. 6 November 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Students get the shuttle". Evening Express. 10 April 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. ^ Bains, Jeevan (6 November 2020). "Students celebrate the reinstatement of 9U University shuttle bus". The Gaudie. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Aberdeen University shuttle bus suspended until next year - Evening Express". Latest News Post. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  12. ^ "New routes". Evening Express. 24 April 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 11 November 2021.