150th Anniversary

Celebrate our 150th Anniversary with us!

Explore the Past, Present and Future of Ruthrieston Community Centre

Ruthrieston Community Centre has had a long history in the South Holburn Community, Aberdeen. The building started its life as a school for local children around 1875, under the Old Machar School Board. We believe it later became a school for pupils with learning disabilites in the early 20th century. It remained as such until after World War 2, when it was incorporated into Ruthrieston Secondary School.

In 2010 following a re-organisation of Aberdeen City Council services, the Centre became self-governing under a management committee comprised of Centre users and local people who were determined to keep the facility going.

We are now a local hub for our community, providing venues for clubs, classes and events.

Thanks to our volunteers we are able to provide a place for people of all ages to meet, chat and have fun.

celebration

Timeline of the Centre

  • Circa 1130

    • Ruadrí, the first mormaer (earl) of mar, is suggested to have been a prominent figure of the 12th century given his mention in the 'Book of the Deer (Leabhar Dhèir)'. The community he had control over became known as Ruadri's toun, then Ruddrieston and finally Ruthrieston.

  • 1875

    • The centre had previously been a church school until the building was replaced by a purposely built school in 1875. It was run by the Old Machar School Board.

  • 1885

    • In May 1885, the school was transferred from the Old Machar School Board to the Aberdeen School Board.

  • 1908

    • In June of 1908 the new school opened and took in pupils and staff from Holburn Street School. The school had departments for boys, girls and infants. The Infant Department closed in 1922 and the pupils were transferred to Broomhill School.

  • 1922

    • In August, the school re-opened as Ruthrieston Intermediate School. The building was used for home economic classes. These classes were taught to the girls. The boys were given more technical lessons, including woodwork. The catchment areas were Broomhill, Holburn Street, Ashley Road, Ferryhil and Marywell Street Primary Schools.

  • 1939

    • The school became known as Ruthrieston Junior Secondary.

  • 1954

    • The School was then called Ruthrieston Secondary School. The community centre building was designed as flat for domestic science and technical classes until 1979.

  • 1972

    • The community centre building was used as an annexe for Harlow Academy. This was called Harlaw Ruthrieston Annexe and later named the Ruthrieston Annexe in 1976. The building was later closed after being used for education for over 100 years.

  • 1979

    • Ruthrieston Community Centre was opened.

    Our future will be shaped by our community. Making a community centre for the local people.

    Contact us with your suggestions to help us with our aim.