It has been a rite of passage for many young Aberdonians during the last 45 years: a Dons match at Pittodrie, followed by a fish supper at The Ashvale.
It helps, of course, that this renowned chipper has proved a magnet for many footballing and showbusiness greats, from Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish to Elton John, Rod Stewart, Annie Lennox and, more recently, Lewis Capaldi.
The ‘city loon’ has relocated
Yet it’s also a boon that operations director Stuart Devine has been at the helm for decades and is passionate about bringing affordable food to people in the north-east.
However, although he spends ample time in Aberdeen, he has actually lived in Westhill in Aberdeenshire for more than 30 years – and he told us why the Granite City’s traffic woes may actually be helping the place he now calls home.
Here’s Stuart’s five favourite things about life in Westhill.
1)Everything’s on your doorstep
Stuart said: “After being brought up as a city loon, I’ve lived in Westhill for 32 years and it has been a great place to raise a family with good schools and amenities throughout.
“Everything you need is on your doorstep which is convenient and the city is only a short 15-minute drive which I do every day to get to work.”
2)Plenty of good parks and walks
Although he is currently nursing a sore knee, which restricts his mobility, Stuart has nothing but admiration for the opportunities offered by the area to go out and explore.
He said: “Westhill is spoilt for parks and walks with a lot of recent upgrade work being carried out in Denman Park and there are plenty of walks including the orbital trail which takes you around the whole of Westhill where nature is in an abundance.
“It’s probably as a result of the pandemic, but most families in Westhill appear to have a dog and you will never be short of a place to go for an enjoyable dog walk.”
3)The shops have a Wow factor
He was equally enthusiastic about the quality of shops in the community, heightened by the problems which he has witnessed mounting up in Aberdeen city centre.
Stuart said: “Shops and retail, wow, Westhill over the last two decades has emerged as a really popular destination for shoppers.
“More recently, with all the stuff about bus gates and LEZs [low emission zones], what the city has lost, places such as Westhill and Inverurie have gained.
“My favourites include Costco, everyone loves Costco. We have a Markies, a Home Bargains and an Aldi. We are also very lucky to have some great small local businesses which have thrived through the years and include gift shops and hairdressers.”
4)Restaurants are top of the range
Stuart is understandably keen to promote his own food outlets, but he knows quality nosh when he sees it and spoke highly of several eateries and pubs in Westhill.
He said: “This is a difficult one, because obviously I want everyone to jump in the car and go visit an Ashvale.
“However, if it’s good food you want, you really don’t need to leave Westhill. My favourites include a Sunday roast from Duncano’s and Yan for Chinese fare would be up there with the best of Chinese in the city.
“Most importantly, when I do get a day off, I do enjoy a visit to the newly taken over and refurbished Broadstraik ,which is excellent for food, offers a great pint and has plenty of screens to watch the football. “
“That’s my perfect day off!”
5)It has a great community buzz
Stuart, who was awarded an MBE in 2014, is a optimist by nature and is delighted with the rapport which he has built up with friends and neighbours in Westhill.
He said: “It’s full of community spirit. Everywhere you go from the pub to Greggs, people are friendly, kids are polite and it just has a great feel about it.
“Of course, like most places, there may be the odd blip, but in general I would recommend Westhill to anyone.
“It has certainly served me well and I look forward to many more years ahead.”
Conversation